.  5, 


t* 


PROCEEDINGS  UPON  THE 
"""UNVEILING  OF  THE 
STATUE  OF 

BARON  VON   STEUBEN 

MAJOR  GENERAL  AND  INSPECTOR  GENERAL  IN  THE 

CONTINENTAL  ARMY  DURING  THE 

REVOLUTIONARY  WAR 

IN  WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  DECEMBER    7,  1910 
AND  UPON  THE 

PRESENTATION   OF  THE   REPLICA  TO 

HIS  MAJESTY  THE  GERMAN  EMPEROR 

AND  THE  GERMAN   NATION 

IN  POTSDAM,  SEPTEMBER  2,  1911 


ERECTED   BY  THE   CONGRESS  OF 
THE   UNITED    STATES 


COMPILED  BY  GEORGE  H.  CARTER 

AND  PRINTED  UNDER  THE   DIRECTION  OF  THE 

JOINT   COMMITTEE   ON    PRINTING 


CONTENTS 


Page. 

AUTHORITY  TO  PRINT  PROCEEDINGS '"      4 

WASHINGTON  AND  STEUBEN  LETTERS 6 

THE  STEUBEN  STATUE  COMMISSION <r  8 

DESCRIPTION  OP  THE  STEUBEN  STATUE  IN  WASHINGTON,  D.  C ;  ;,,  £ 

UNVEILING  CEREMONIES,  WASHINGTON,  DECEMBER  7,  1910 •»•  ;'ty 

Order  of  exercises 16 

Invocation  by  Rev.  Charles  F.  Steck,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Lutheran  Church  of  the  Epiphany,  Washington 17 

Address  of  Hon.   Richard   Bartholdt,   Member  of  Congress  from 

Missouri  and  author  of  the  STEUBEN  statue  legislation 19 

Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer,  of  Philadelphia,  president  of 

the  National  German-American  Alliance 29 

Address  of  Count  Johann  Heinrich  von  Bernstorff,  the  German 

ambassador  to  the  United  States 43 

Unveiling  of  the  statue  by  Miss  Helen  Tart 47 

Address  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  William  Howard 

Taft 49 

Benediction  by  Rev.  William  T.  Russell,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  St. 

Patrick's  Catholic  Church,  Washington 52 

NEWSPAPER  COMMENT  ON  THE  UNVEILING,  PARADE,  AND  ATTENDANT 

CEREMONIES  IN  WASHINGTON 55 

PRESENTATION  OF  THE  BRONZE  REPLICA  OF  THE  STEUBEN  STATUE  To 
His  MAJESTY  THE  GERMAN  EMPEROR  AND  THE  GERMAN  NATION, 

POTSDAM,  SEPTEMBER  2,  1911 69 

PROCEEDINGS  IN  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS  AND  THE  CONGRESS  OF 

THE  UNITED  STATES  RELATING  TO  BARON  STEUBEN 85 

STEUBEN'S  BURIAL  PLACE,  TOWN  OF  STEUBEN,  N.  Y 201 

PORTRAITS  AND  RELICS  OF  STEUBEN  OWNED  BY  VARIOUS  SOCIETIES, 

MUSEUMS,   AND  PERSONS 209 

BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  BARON  STEUBEN,  LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 217 

INDEX 227 

3 


AUTHORITY  TO  PRINT 

Ho  USB  CONCURRENT  RESOLUTION  No.  3,  SIXTY-SECOND  CONGRESS 
Passed,  House,  August  7,  1911;  Senate,  August  21,  1911 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  there 
shall  be  printed  and  bound  in  the  form  of  eulogies,  with  accompanying  illus- 
trations, seventeen  thousand  one  hundred  copies  of  the  proceedings  upon  the 
unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December 
seventh,  nineteen  hundred  and  ten,  of  which  five  thousand  shall  be  for  the 
use  of  the  Senate,  ten  thousand  for  the  use  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
two  thousand  to  be  delivered  to  the  National  German- American  Alliance  for 
such  distribution  as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make,  and  the  remaining 
one  hundred  copies  shall  be  bound  in  full  morocco  and  distributed  through 
the  Department  of  State  to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the 
speakers  who  took  part  in  said  celebration. 


HOUSE  CONCURRENT  RESOLUTION  No.  39,  SIXTY-SECOND  CONGRESS 
Passed,  House,  March  26,  1912;  Senate,  April  2,  1912 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  the 
concurrent  resolution  passed  August  twenty-first,  nineteen  hundred  and 
eleven,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling 
of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  seventh, 
nineteen  hundred  and  ten,  be  amended  by  adding  the  following  sentence 
after  the  last  word  thereof: 

"  There  shall  be  included  in  the  same  volume,  as  herein  provided  for,  the 
proceedings  relating  to  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN 
in  Berlin,  September  second,  nineteen  hundred  and  eleven;  and  this  docu- 
ment shall  be  compiled  and  printed  under  the  direction  of  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee on  Printing." 

4 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Facing 


BARON  VON  STEUBEN  MONUMENT,  LAFAYETTE  PARK,  WASH- 
INGTON   Frontispiece. 

THE  STEUBEN  STATUE  COMMISSION 8 

MR.  ALBERT  JAEGERS,  THE  SCULPTOR 9 

STEUBEN  STATUE,  LAFAYETTE  PARK  MONUMENT 14 

"MILITARY  INSTRUCTION,"  GROUP  ON  LAFAYETTE  PARK  MONUMENT.  . . 

"  COMMEMORATION,  "  GROUP  ON  LAFAYETTE  PARK  MONUMENT 

STEUBEN 's  AIDS-DE-CAMP,  MEDALLION  ON  LAFAYETTE  PARK  MONUMENT.  15 
HON.  RICHARD  BARTHOLDT,  MEMBER  OF  CONGRESS  FROM  MISSOURI.  19 
DR.  CHARLES  J.  HEXAMER,  OF  PHILADELPHIA,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE 

NATIONAL  GERMAN- AMERICAN  ALLIANCE 29 

COUNT  JOHANN  HEINRICH  VON  BERNSTORFF,  THE  GERMAN  AMBASSA- 
DOR TO  THE  UNITED  STATES 42 

Miss  HELEN  TAFT 46 

His  EXCELLENCY  WILLIAM  HOWARD  TAFT,  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED 

STATES 48 

UNVEILING  OP  THE  STEUBEN  MONUMENT,  LAFAYETTE  PARK,  WASH- 
INGTON; PRESIDENT  TAFT  SPEAKING 54 

MAJ.  GEN.  W.  H.  CARTER,  UNITED  STATES  ARMY,  GRAND  MARSHAL 

OF  THE  STEUBEN  PARADE,  WASHINGTON,  DECEMBER  7,  1910 55 

His  MAJESTY  WILLIAM  II,  THE  GERMAN  EMPEROR,  KING  OP  PRUS- 
SIA, ETC  . 68 

SCENE  AT  POTSDAM  PRESENTATION  CEREMONIES,  His  MAJESTY  WIL- 

UAM    II    ACCEPTING   THE    STEUBEN    REPLICA    FROM    THE    AMERICAN 
ENVOYS : 72 

AMERICAN  ENVOYS  WHO  PRESENTED  THE  REPLICA  TO  THE  GERMAN 
EMPEROR — HON.  RICHARD  BARTHOLDT,  M.  C.,  OP  MISSOURI,  AND 
HON.  CHARLES  B.  WOLFFRAM,  OP  NEW  YORK 73 

BRONZE  REPLICA  OF  THE  STEUBEN  STATUE,  POTSDAM,  GERMANY 82 

STEUBEN 's  LOG  HOUSE  IN  TOWN  OP  STEUBEN,  NEAR  REMSEN,  N.  Y. .  202 

STEUBEN 's  GRAVE  AND  MONUMENT,  TOWN  OP  STEUBEN,  N.  Y 203 

STEUBEN'S  COAT  OP  ARMS 204 

STEUBEN  MEMORIAL  TABLET  IN  THE  GERMAN  EVANGELICAL  REFORMED 

CHURCH,  SIXTY-EIGHTH  STREET,  NEW  YORK  CITY 205 

BARON  STEUBEN,  FROM  A  LIFE  PAINTING  BY  RALPH  EARLE,  OWNED 

BY  MRS.  FRANCIS  B.  AUSTIN,  OP  SUMMIT,  N.  J 208 

GOLD  SNUPP  BOX  PRESENTED  TO  STEUBEN  WITH  THE  FREEDOM  OP 

THE  CITY  OP  NEW  YORK;  HIS  GOLD  WATCH  AND  CHAIN,  AND  HIS 

KNEE  BUCKLES 2IO 

STEUBEN'S  SERVICE  AND  DRESS  SWORDS  AND  HIS  GOLD- HEADED  CANE.  .  211 
LIQUOR  CASE  AND  GLASSES  WHICH  ACCOMPANIED  STEUBEN  DURING 

THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR 212 

FACSIMILE  OF  STEUBEN'S  SIGNATURE 213 

5 


WASHINGTON  AND  STEUBEN 

(Letters  from  the  »  Steuben  Papers"  in  the  New  York  Historical  Society) 

ANNAPOLIS  deer.  zjd.  1783. 

MAhhoARI  haAve™  ken  frequent  Opportunities  both  in  public  and  private   of 
Acknowledging  your  great  Zeal  Attention  and  Abilities  in  P*rf^m*  ^ 


.. 

Se  to  Signify  in  the  strongest  terms,  my  intire  Approbation  of  your  Conduct, 
and  to  express  my  Sense  of  the  Obligations  the  public  is  under  to  you  for  your 
faithful,  and  Meritorious  Services. 

I  beeyouwill  be  convincd,  my  dear  Sir,  that  I  should  rejoice,  if  it  could  ever 
be  in  my  power,  to  serve  you  more  essentially,  than  by  expressions  of  regard  and 
Affection— but  in  the  mean  time,  I  am  persuaded  you  will  not  be  displeased, 
with  this  farewell  token,  of  my  Sincere  Friendship  and  Esteem  for  you— 

This  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  ever  write,  while  I  continue  in  the  Service  of  my 

Country— the  hour  of  my  Resignation  is  fixed  at  twelve  this  day— after  which, 

I  shall  become  a  private  Citizen  on  the  Banks  of  the  Potomack,  where  I  shall  be 

glad  to  embrace  you ,  and  testify  the  great  Esteem  and  Consideration  .with  which, 

I  am  My  Dear  Baron 

Your  most  Obedt.  and  Affectn. 
Servt. 

(Signed)  G°.  WASHINGTON. 

The  Honble 
Major  Genl.  BARON  DE  STEUBEN 


MY  DEAR  GENERAL 

The  letter  of  December  23d  which  I  have  had  the  honor  of  receiving  from 
Your  Excellency,  is  the  most  honorable  testimony  which  my  services  could 
have  received.  My  first  wish  was  to  approve  myself  to  Your  Excellency,  &  in 
having  obtained  it,  my  happiness  is  complete. 

The  Confidence  Your  Excellency  was  pleased  to  place  in  my  integrity  & 
ability  gained  me  that  of  the  army  &  of  the  United  States  Your  approbation 
will  secure  it. 

A  stranger  to  the  language  &  customs  of  the  Country,  I  had  nothing  to  offer 
in  my  favor  but  a  little  experience  &  great  good  will  to  serve  the  United  States; 
If  my  endeavours  have  succeeded  I  owe  it  to  Your  Excellency's  protection,  & 
it  is  a  sufficient  reward  for  me  to  know  that  I  have  been  useful  in  Your  Excel- 
lency's  Operations  which  always  tended  to  the  good  of  Your  country. 

After  having  studied  the  principles  of  the  military  art  under  Frederick,  & 
put  them  in  practice  under  Washington,  after  having  deposited  my  sword 
under  the  same  trophies  of  Victory  with  yours,  &  finally  after  having  received 
this  last  public  testimony  of  your  esteem,  there  remains  nothing  for  me  to  desire. 

Accept  my  sincere  thanks,  My  dear  General  for  the  unequivocal  proofs  of 
your  friendship  which  I  have  received  since  I  had  first  the  honor  to  receive 
your  orders;  &  believe  that  I  join  my  prayers  to  those  of  America  for  the  preser- 
vation of  your  life,  &  for  the  increase  of  your  felicity.  With  every  sentiment 
of  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
Your  Excellency's  Obedient 

[Indorsed,]  Copy  to  Gen.  Washington,  Jany  1784. 
6 


THE    STATUE 


LAFAYETTE  PARK 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 


THE  STEUBEN  STATUE  COMMISSION 

Created  by  act  of  Congress  February  27,  1903. 


HON.  JACOB  M.  DICKINSON, 

SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

HON.  GEORGE  P.  WETMORE, 

CHAIRMAN  Of  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE  SENATg. 

HON.  JAMES  T.  McCLEARY, 

CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES 
OF  THE  FIFTY-SEVENTH  CONGRESS. 

Cot.  SPENCER  COSBY,  UNITED  STATES  ARMY, 

EXECUTIVE  AND  DISBURSING  OFFICER. 

W.  R.  PEDIGO, 


THE  SCULPTOR. 

ALBERT  JAEGERS. 


HON.  JACOB  M.DICKINSON    ' 

Secretary  of  War. 
Presiding  Officer  at 


THE  VOTS 


MR.  ALBERT  JAEGERS, 
The  sculptor. 


THE  STATUE 

The  act  of  Congress  approved  February  27,  1903,  appro- 
priated the  sum  of  $50,000  for  procuring  and  erecting  a 
statue  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  AUGUSTUS  HENRY  FERDI- 
NAND, Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  major  general  and  Inspector 
General  in  the  Continental  Army.  The  act  provided  that 
this  sum  should  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  com- 
mission to  be  composed  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  Senate,  and 
the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

In  July,  1905,  competition  was  invited  for  the  statue, 
and  six  artists  submitted  models  in  October,  one  of  the 
competitors  submitting  two  models.  In  December,  1905, 
the  commission  selected  three  of  the  models  as  satisfactory 
and  requested  the  three  artists  to  submit  larger  models  of 
their  figures  for  final  selection.  Only  two  of  the  artists 
entered  the  second  competition,  from  which  a  final  selec- 
tion was  made  in  May,  1906. 

The  commission,  upon  the  advice  of  a  committee  of  ex- 
perts headed  by  the  late  Augustus  St.  Gaudens,  selected 
the  model  of  the  statue  submitted  by  Albert  Jaegers,  of 
New  York.  On  January  10,  1907,  a  contract  was  entered 
into  by  the  commission  with  Mr.  Jaegers  for  furnishing  and 
erecting  the  monument  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Lafayette 
Park  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

In  designing  the  monument  the  sculptor,  with  his  asso- 
ciate architect,  T.  R.  Johnson,  consulted  Cass  Gilbert,  the 
New  York  architect.  Taking  into  consideration  the  loca- 
tion of  the  monument  in  Lafayette  Park,  they  have  brought 
it  into  harmony  with  the  general  scale  and  mass  of  the 
monuments  already  erected  there,  while  adapting  the  design 
to  the  prevailing  classic  tendency  of  monumental  works  in 
the  city. 


io  Statute  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

The  working  model  of  the  statue  was  completed  in  May, 
1907,  and  approved  by  the  commission.  In  June,  1908, 
the  model  of  one  of  the  two  bronze  side  groups  was  approved, 
and  in  December  of  the  same  year  that  of  the  second  side 
group  was  approved.  The  full-size  model  of  the  statue 
was  approved  September  i,  1909,  and  the  bronze  casting 
of  it  was  received  in  Washington  on  April  30,  1910,  and 
placed  in  the  storehouse  of  public  buildings  and  grounds  for 
safe-keeping  until  the  pedestal  was  ready  to  receive  it.  In 
June,  1910,  the  full-size  model  of  one  of  the  two  bronze 
side  groups  was  approved,  and  on  September  19,  1910,  the 
full-size  model  of  the  second  side  group  was  approved  by 
the  commission. 

The  foundation  for  the  pedestal  was  constructed  in  Sep- 
tember, and  on  October  24,  1910,  the  setting  of  the  granite 
of  the  pedestal  was  commenced.  This  work  was  completed 
in  November,  and  the  bronze  statue  and  side  groups  were 
put  in  place  during  that  month.  The  mound  around  the 
base  of  the  pedestal  was  inclosed  with  a  granite  coping, 
and  new  walks  around  the  statue  were  constructed  and 
paved  with  asphalt. 

All  other  necessary  preparations  for  the  unveiling  cere- 
monies, such  as  issuing  invitations,  preparing  the  program, 
erecting  and  decorating  stands,  etc.,  were  carried  out  by  the 
office  of  Public  Buildings  and  Grounds  in  charge  of  Col. 
Spencer  Cosby,  United  States  Army,  and  the  statue  was 
unveiled  on  December  7,  1910.  The  speakers  at  the  dedi- 
cation were  the  President,  the  German  ambassador,  the 
Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt,  and  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer, 
president  of  the  National  German-American  Alliance' 
The  grading  and  sodding  of  the  grounds  around  the  statue 
were  finished  in  March,  1911.  Some  finishing  work  was 
done  in  May,  which  practically  completed  the  surround- 
ings of  the  monument. 

The  amount  expended  to  June  30,  1911,  on  account  of 
the  construction  of  this  statue  was  $49,640.39.  The  cost 
of  unveiling  and  dedicating  the  statue  was  $2,500  which 


The  Statue  1 1 


amount  was  appropriated  in  the  sundry  civil  act  approved 
June  25,  1910. 

SCULPTOR'S  DESCRIPTION 

The  following  is  the  sculptor's  description  of  the  monu- 
ment: 

In  the  statue  the  general  appears  standing  on  an  eminence  inspecting  the 
great  maneuvers  of  1778.  He  is  heavily  cloaked  to  endure  the  hardships  of 
the  rigorous  winter  campaign  at  Valley  Forge.  The  sash  is  reminiscent  of  his 
service  on  the  staff  of  Frederick  the  Great;  his  hand  lightly  at  rest  on  the 
hilt  of  his  sword,  he  is  following  with  keen  interest  the  unfolding  movement 
of  the  troops. 

The  group  "Military  instruction"  represents  STEUBEN'S  life  work,  the 
work  for  which  this  Nation  honors  and  remembers  him — the  drilling  and 
training  of  the  American  Army.  An  experienced  warrior  is  shown  instruct- 
ing a  youth  in  the  use  of  the  sword. 

In  the  second  group,  "Commemoration,"  America  is  teaching  youth  to 
honor  the  memory  of  her  heroes.  A  foreign  branch  is  grafted  into  the  tree 
of  her  national  life.  She  welds  to  her  heart  the  foreigner  who  has  cast  his 
life  and  fortune  with  the  weal  and  woe  of  her  people,  embodying  the  idea 
of  unity  and  fraternity  of  all  nationalities  under  the  guidance  of  a  great 
Republic. 

The  base  of  the  monument  is  21  feet  4  inches  square,  2 
feet  4  inches  in  height,  and  rests  on  concrete  footings  4 
feet  in  depth.  The  base  supports  a  central  shaft  17  feet 
4%  inches  in  height,  thus  making  the  bronze  figure  stand 
on  a  pedestal  19  feet  4^  inches  from  the  grass  mound  at 
the  base,  which  mound  is  4  inches  above  the  concreted 
base  and  6  inches  above  the  northwest  edge  of  the  encir- 
cling granite  coping  adjacent  to  the  walk.  The  bronze 
statue  measures  n  feet  in  height,  making  an  over-all 
height  of  approximately  31  feet. 

The  monument  is  made  of  Stony  Creek  granite,  from  the 
Connecticut  shores  of  Long  Island  Sound.  In  color  it  has 
a  decidedly  pinkish  tone  enriched  by  variegated  streaks 
of  a  darker  hue.  The  effect  of  this  granite  is  very  much 
enhanced  when  wet,  during  rainy  weather,  seeming  to  give 
better  support  to  the  dark  browns  of  the  bronze  statue 
above.  The  finish  of  the  surface  of  the  granite  is  that  of 
a  "fine  tool  cut." 


I2  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

The  statue  figure,  the  two  allegorical  figures  on  the  side 
pedestals,  with  additional  ornaments  in  relief,  and  all  let- 
tering are  in  bronze,  of  a  quality  in  accordance  with  United 
States  Government  specifications. 

LOCATION  OF  THE  STATUE 

The  STEUBEN  Monument  is  located  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Lafayette  Park,  facing  up  Connecticut  Avenue, 
and  is  one  of  five  commemorative  statues  which  have  been 
erected  in  this  park.  The  present  arrangement  of  these 
monuments,  placed  one  at  the  center  and  one  at  each 
corner  of  the  park,  has  been  the  result  of  circumstance 
rather  than  of  plan.  In  1891  the  statue  to  be  erected  to 
the  memory  of  Gen.  Lafayette  was  designed  for  a  site 
fronting  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue  on  the  center  line  of  the 
park.  After  the  foundations  were  under  construction  a 
strong  protest  arose  against  interposing  any  monument 
between  the  White  House  and  the  statue  of  Gen.  Jackson, 
which  had  held  the  place  of  honor  in  the  center  of  the 
park  since  1857.  In  consequence,  a  new  site  for  the 
Lafayette  Monument  was  selected  at  the  southeast  corner 
of  the  park,  where  it  would  not  distract  attention  from  the 
statue  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  yet  occupy  a  commanding 
position  on  the  Avenue. 

As  might  have  been  expected,  the  necessity  was  at  once 
felt  for  a  similar  statue  to  be  placed  at  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  the  park  to  complete  the  architectural  balance  of 
the  composition  as  seen  from  the  White  House;  and  in 
1902  there  was  erected  on  that  site  the  statue  of  Gen. 
Rochambeau,  copatriot  with  Lafayette  in  offering  his 
sword  to  Washington,  and  participating  with  him  in  the 
siege  and  capture  of  Yorktown. 

Revolutionary  interest  being  thus  established  in  this 
park,  it  seemed  but  a  natural  sequence  that,  when  a  statue 
was  to  be  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  famous  Polish 
patriot  and  general  who  served  with  the  Americans  in 
the  Revolution,  it  should  be  associated  with  those  of 


The  Statue  13 


Lafayette  and  Rochambeau.  Therefore  the  statue  to 
Kosciuszko,  in  1910,  was  given  a  corresponding  site  at 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  park,  leaving  but  the  one  site, 
at  the  northwest  corner,  unoccupied. 

To  whom  could  this  final  site  be  more  justly  consecrated 
than  to  the  German  nobleman  who  came  to  this  country's 
assistance  in  1777  and  at  a  most  crucial  time  in  its  history 
accepted  from  Washington  the  post  of  Inspector  General  and 
worked  indefatigably  with  him  in  reorganizing  the  Army 
of  the  Republic  ?  In  1 910  the  statue  to  Baron  VON  STEUBEN 
was  erected  on  this  site,  completing  the  group  of  statues 
commemorating  those  generals  of  other  nations  who  made 
our  cause  their  own  and  whose  names  shall  be  always  linked 
with  the  great  struggle  which  gave  to  this  country  its  inde- 
pendence. 

In  addition  to  the  Revolutionary  interest  thus  attached 
to  this  park  the  surrounding  neighborhood  is  rich  in  asso- 
ciations of  a  personal  nature.  The  residence  on  Jackson 
Place  directly  opposite  the  statue  of  STEUBEN  is  that 
formerly  occupied  by  Commodore  Stephen  Decatur,  who 
died  there,  March  22,  1820,  from  wounds  received  in  a  duel 
with  Commodore  Barron.  Among  other  distinguished  men 
who  lived  in  the  Decatur  house  were  Henry  Clay,  Martin 
Van  Buren,  Edward  Livingston,  George  M.  Dallas,  and 
Edward  F.  Beale. 

Directly  north  of  the  statue,  on  H  Street,  is  the  house 
formerly  occupied  by  Daniel  Webster,  when  Secretary  of 
State,  and  later  by  W.  W.  Corcoran,  whose  name  will  always 
be  associated  with  the  art  gallery  presented  by  him  to  the 
Capital  City.  The  house  next  east,  No.  1607  H  Street,  is 
that  formerly  occupied  by  Hon.  Daniel  Lament,  Secretary 
of  War  during  President  Cleveland's  administration;  and 
farther  east  on  H  Street  is  the  residence  of  the  late  John 
Hay,  Secretary  of  State  under  President  McKinley.  The 
house  No.  22  Jackson  Place  was  used  as  an  office  by  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt  and  his  executive  staff  during  the  renova- 
tion of  the  White  House  from  June  to  November,  1902. 


I4  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

St.  John's  Church,  facing  the  park  at  Sixteenth  Street,  is 
so  well  known  for  the  many  distinguished  persons  who 
have  attended  divine  worship  there,  including  Presidents 
Madison,  Monroe,  John  Quincy  Adams,  Jackson,  Van  Buren, 
Harrison,  Tyler,  Fillmore,  Buchanan,  and  Arthur,  that  it 
might  almost  be  grouped  with  the  White  House  and  the 
State,  War,  and  Navy  Building  in  mentioning  the  historical 
setting  of  this  famous  and  beautiful  park.  No  place  richer 
in  sentiment,  beauty,  and  historical  interest  could  have 
been  selected  for  the  location  of  the  statue  commemorative 
of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN. 

THE   SCULPTOR 

Albert  Jaegers,  the  sculptor,  was  born  March  28,  1868, 
in  Elberfeld,  Germany.  He  came  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
while  still  a  child. 

Engaged  in  ecclesiastical  work,  he  at  the  same  time 
studied  at  the  school  of  design  there  in  the  evening.  After 
a  practical  course  in  an  architect's  office,  he  entered  no 
other  school  or  studio  here  or  abroad  thereafter,  becoming 
entirely  self-taught  in  his  profession. 

In  1889  Mr.  Jaegers  went  to  New  York,  and  married  a 
year  later  Matilda  Holdt,  a  student  of  art  from  Cincinnati. 

A  member  of  the  National  Sculpture  Society,  he  won 
competitions  inaugurated  and  decided  by  it,  such  as  a 
United  States  silver  dollar  coin  design  and  the  Hamilton 
Fish  tablet  for  Columbia  College,  New  York.  Mr.  Jaegers 
executed  many  private  and  public  works  for  Buffalo,  St. 
Louis,  and  New  York  before  he  was  called  upon  by  the 
Government  to  submit,  in  competition  with  a  number  of 
eminent  sculptors,  a  STEUBEN  monument  design. 


STATUE  OF  BARON  VON   STEUBEN, 
Lafayette  Park  Monument,  Washington,  D.  C. 


"MILITARY  INSTRUCTION" 
Allegorical  group  on  Steuben  Monument,  Washington,  D.  C. 


"COMMEMORATION" 
Allegorical  group  on  Steuben  Monument,  Washington,  D.  C. 


•  COLONEL-  WILLIAM  -  NORTH 
BENJAMIN -WALKER 
'  '  AIDES -AND -FRIENDS  ' 

•OF-GENERAL-VONSTEVBEN 


MEDALLION  ON  STEUBEN  MONUMENT,  WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 


THE   UNVEILING 


WASHINGTON,   D.  C. 
DECEMBER    7,   1910 


ORDER  OF  EXERCISES 


Hon.  JACOB  M.  DICKINSON,  SECRETARY  OP  WAR, 
Presiding 

OPENING  SONG  .  .  .  Northeastern  Singers'  Association 
INVOCATION  ....  Rev.  Charles  F.  Steck,  D.  D. 
ADDRESS Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt 

Member  of  Congress 

ADDRESS Dr-  Charles  J.  Hexamer 

President  National  German-American  Alliance 

SONG Northeastern  Singers'  Association 

ADDRESS Count  J.  H.  von  Bernstorff 

The  German  Ambassador 

UNVEIUNG  OF  MONUMENT  ....  Miss  Helen  Taft 
STAR  SPANGLED  BANNER  .  .  Northeastern  Singers'  Association 

Accompanied  by  United  States  Marine  Band 

SALUTE Battery  E,  Third  Field  Artillery 

INTRODUCTION  OF  THE  SCULPTOR,  MR.  ALBERT  JAEGERS. 
ADDRESS       ....     The  President  of  the  United  States 
BENEDICTION          .        .        .          Rev.  William  T.  Russell,  D.  D. 

PARADE        .        .        .       Troops  and  German-American  Societies 
Maj.  Gen.  W.  H.  Carter.  Grand  Marshal 


INVOCATION 

By  Rev.  CHARLES  F.  STECK,  D.  D.,  pastor  of  the   Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  of  the  Epiphany,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God — our  God  and  the  God  of 
our  fathers — who  art  worthy  to  be  held  in  reverence  by  all 
the  children  of  men,  it  is  meet,  right,  and  salutary  that  we 
should  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  give  thanks  unto  Thee, 
who  art  our  creator,  preserver,  and  bountiful  benefactor. 
We  adore  Thee  as  the  Sovereign  Ruler  of  the  universe,  the 
King  immortal,  eternal,  and  invisible,  the  only  wise  God, 
and  to  Thee  we  give  honor  and  glory.  We  worship  Thee  as 
the  One  in  whom  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being. 
We  praise  Thee  for  Thy  goodness,  and  bless  Thee  for  the 
benefits,  both  spiritual  and  temporal,  which  Thou  hast  so 
abundantly  bestowed  upon  us. 

We  call  to  mind  in  this  hour  the  days  of  old,  and  give 
thanks  to  Thee  for  the  sacred  memories  which  this  occasion 
awakens.  We  bless  Thee  for  the  foreign  friend  who,  moved 
of  Thee,  came  to  help  us  repel  a  foreign  foe,  and  whose  signal 
services  to  our  Nation  in  the  dark  extremity  of  its  youth  we 
have  come  together  to  commemorate.  Continue  to  bestow 
upon  us,  we  beseech  Thee,  the  gracious  favor  we  have  hitherto 
enjoyed,  and,  with  all  affection  and  appreciation,  may  we, 
guided  and  sustained  by  Thee,  labor  to  preserve,  augment, 
and  perpetuate  the  vast  national  fortune  we  have  inherited, 
whose  foundation  was  laid  in  what  our  fathers  and  our 
fathers'  friends,  through  sacrifice,  and  battle,  and  blood; 
achieved.  To  Thee  they  looked  for  the  justification  of  their 
course,  and  Thou  didst  own  and  bless  them,  and  to  Thee  we 
also  look  for  instruction,  direction,  and  support. 

84647"-14 2  I 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


Most  heartily  we  commend  to  Thy  gracious  care  Thy 
servants,  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  those  who 
are  associated  with  him  hi  the  national  administration;  the 
Members  of  the  Congress,  the  Commissioners  of  this  District, 
and  all  our  judges  and  magistrates.  So  endue  them  with 
Thy  grace  that  they  may  fulfill  their  offices  in  accordance 
with  Thy  good  pleasure,  to  the  maintenance  of  righteousness 
and  to  the  hindrance  and  punishment  of  wickedness,  that  we 
may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceful  life  in  all  godliness  and  hon- 
esty. Look  with  favor  upon  the  foreign  representatives  who 
dwell  among  us  and  upon  the  nations  from  which  they  come 
accredited,  and  with  these  and  with  all  the  peoples  of  the 
earth  may  we  continue  to  be  at  peace  ;  and  hasten  the  coming 
of  the  day  when  governments  shall  submit  their  differences 
to  the  arbitrament  of  mind  rather  than  of  might,  and  war 
shall  no  more  be  learned. 

Bless  those  who  are  to  address  us  to-day,  and  the  societies 
and  organizations  here  represented,  and  all  the  people,  and 
may  these  exercises  be  a  means  of  binding  us  all,  of  whatever 
tongue  or  walk  in  life,  more  closely  in  the  ties  which  unite 
us  as  citizens  of  these  United  States.  We  ask  these  things 
in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  through  whom  we 
have  the  forgiveness  of  sin,  and  by  virtue  of  whose  mighty 
achievements  as  the  Captain  of  our  salvation  we  may 
become  citizens  of  even  a  better  country,  that  is,  an  heav- 
enly, Jesus  Christ,  who  taught  us  to  say: 

Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  Thy  Name. 
Thy  Kingdom  come.  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us. 
And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil: 
For  Thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory, 
for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 


HON.   RICHARD  BARTHOLDT, 


ADDRESS  OF  HON.  RICHARD  BARTHOLDT 

Mr.  PRESIDENT  AND  FELLOW  CITIZENS:  When  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  in  Philadelphia 
the  whole  civilized  world  listened,  the  rulers  with 
misgivings,  the  peoples  with  exultant  hope.  It  was 
the  greatest  political  deliverance  in  history,  and  served 
notice  on  both  the  governed  and  those  who  govern 
that  freedom,  resting  not  on  institutions  but  on  the 
necessities  of  human  nature,  is  no  mere  abstract  idea, 
but  a  vital  principle  of  national  life.  France  imme- 
diately responded,  the  people  with  their  honest  sympa- 
thies and  the  monarch  with  his  material  aid;  the  latter 
prompted  by  his  hostility  to  Great  Britain,  the  former 
inspired  by  the  writings  of  Voltaire  and  Rousseau  for 
the  cause  of  democracy  and  liberty.  Many  other 
countries,  from  various  motives,  seemed  ready  to  extend 
their  moral  support  to  the  Colonies,  and  many  tongues 
were  represented  by  the  men  who  came  to  draw  their 
swords  for  freedom's  sake.  History  tells  us  that  among 
the  men  who  came  from  foreign  lands  there  was  none 
who  rendered  more  valuable  service  to  the  cause  of 
American  independence  than  did  that  brave  Prussian 
soldier  whose  memory  a  grateful  country  honors  to-day, 
Baron  STEUBEN.  As  one  of  the  military  godfathers  of 
this  Nation,  his  name  is  indissolubly  linked  with  the 
stormy  events  incident  to  its  birth,  and  his  name  and 
achievements  are  a  monument  more  imperishable  than 
this  statue  of  bronze  in  the  annals  of  his  adopted 
country  and  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen. 

19 


20 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


American  independence  was  achieved  through  love  of 
liberty,  through  military  skill,  and  through  courage  and 
unswerving  fidelity  to  the  cause,  and  it  was  maintained 
through  the  wisdom  of  statesmanship  which  made  the 
experiment  of  self-government  a  success.  All  these 
superb  qualities  were  essential  to  the  final  triumph,  and 
the  lack  of  either  one  would  have  spelled  failure. 
Historians  agree  that  in  Washington  these  qualities 
were  found  combined;  that  he  excelled  in  them  all. 
STEUBEN'S  opportunities  were  limited  to  the  display  of 
military  knowledge  and  the  exercise  of  soldierly  skill. 
His  was  a  master  mind  when  it  came  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  organization,  fundamental  tactics,  and 
strategy.  But  there  was  something  else  in  him.  We 
can  not  read  the  darker  chapters  of  the  struggle  for 
independence  without  becoming  deeply  impressed  with 
those  qualities  of  which  the  poet  says:  "If  they  were 
not  as  old  as  the  world,  I  believe  a  German  would 
have  invented  them,"  namely,  loyalty  and  perseverance. 
No  American  patriot  could  have  been  more  unfalteringly 
true  and  more  stubbornly  faithful  to  the  cause  of  the 
Colonies  and  none  more  courageously  sanguine  as  to 
the  final  outcome  than  was  that  rugged  soldier  of  two 
worlds.  It  seemed  as  if  his  power  of  resistance  grew 
in  proportion  with  the  difficulties  and  obstacles  which 
confronted  the  colonists,  and  his  own  confidence, 
together  with  the  order  and  discipline  and  economy 
which  he  enforced,  became  at  once  the  comfort  and 
consolation  of  his  equals  and  superiors,  and  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Army. 

Let  history  speak  for  itself.  FREDERICK  WILHELM 
AUGUST  VON  STEUBEN  came  to  this  country,  after  a  stormy 


Address  of  Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt  2 1 

passage,  on  December  i,  1777.  He  was  then  47  years  old, 
and,  as  the  descendant  of  a  military  family,  had  practically 
been  a  soldier  since  his  fourteenth  year,  when  he  accom- 
panied his  father  in  a  most  strenuous  and  bloody  campaign. 
Reared  in  the  rigorous  military  school  of  Frederick  the  Great, 
he  entered  the  King's  army  at  the  age  of  26,  and  participated 
in  nearly  all  the  great  battles  of  the  Seven  Years'  War. 
Later  he  became  adjutant  general  of  Frederick  the  Great, 
and  in  this  position  had  occasion  to  thoroughly  familiarize 
himself  with  the  important  tasks  of  providing  for  and 
equipping  the  troops,  of  securing  and  caring  for  arms  and 
ammunition,  of  their  inspection  and  control,  and  of  the 
drilling  and  training  of  soldiers — the  very  essentials  which 
later  made  his  services  so  invaluable  in  the  Revolutionary 
War.  At  the  end  of  the  Seven  Years'  War  he  was  granted  a 
comfortable  pension,  which  would  have  enabled  him  to  live 
a  life  of  ease  for  the  rest  of  his  days,  but  on  a  visit  to  Paris  he 
became  acquainted  with  several  prominent  men  of  the 
French  court,  and  also  with  Benjamin  Franklin,  the  Ameri- 
can emissary,  who  tried  to  prevail  on  him  to  offer  his  services 
to  Gen.  Washington.  At  that  particular  time  things  looked 
rather  blue  for  the  colonists.  In  spite  of  his  masterly 
strategy  and  the  bravery  and  self-sacrificing  spirit  of  his 
troops,  Washington  had  been  forced  to  retreat  from  New 
York,  through  New  Jersey,  and  across  the  Delaware,  and 
camped  with  an  army  diminished  and  discouraged,  and 
incapable  of  larger  undertakings,  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
cause  of  all  the  reverses  had  mainly  been  the  lack  of  disci- 
pline. Up  to  that  time  American  soldiers  had  fought  only 
against  Indians,  which,  it  is  true,  caused  them  to  excel  in 
marksmanship,  in  skirmishing,  and  in  the  ability  to  undergo 
great  hardships,  but  they  could  not  well  hold  their  own  in 


Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


open  battle  against  the  well-trained  British.  The  French 
Government  was  fully  aware  of  that  fact,  and  it  also  recognized 
that  Baron  STEUBEN,  the  pupil  of  Frederick  the  Great,  would 
be  the  right  sort  of  man  to  create  order  out  of  chaos,  to  prop- 
erly drill  and  equip  the  American  Army  and  make  it  equal  to 
any  emergency.  The  appeals  in  behalf  of  American  freedom 
found  an  echo  in  STEUBEN  's  heart  and  he  accepted  the  offers 
made  to  him.  When,  after  a  voyage  of  more  than  two 
months,  he  landed  at  Portsmouth,  the  first  news  he  received 
was  of  important  American  successes  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  of  the  surrender  of  the  English  general,  Burgoyne, 
with  his  whole  army.  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  nearly 
the  whole  coast,  however,  were  still  in  the  possession  of  the 
British,  and  Washington's  army  was  nearly  frozen  and 
starved  to  death  in  winter  quarters  at  Valley  Forge.  STEU- 
BEN was  everywhere  received  with  due  honors. 

Congress  readily  accepted  the  offer  of  his  services  as  a  vol- 
unteer, granted  him  the  rank  of  major  general,  and  intrusted 
Mm  with  the  task  to  drill  the  troops  and  establish  better 
order  in  the  commissary  and  other  departments.  On  the 
way  to  Valley  Forge  STEUBEN  and  his  retinue  came  through 
Lancaster,  where  the  many  Germans  residing  there  accorded 
him  a  royal  welcome.  Gen.  Washington,  too,  received  him 
most  cordially  and  with  all  the  honors  due  an  officer  of  high 
rank.  The  winter  quarters  presented  a  most  sorrowful 
appearance.  The  troops  were  in  want  of  practically  every- 
thing— clothing,  provisions,  arms,  and  ammunition;  and 
discipline  and  military  order  seemed  unknown.  When  the 
enlistment  of  a  soldier  had  expired  he  took  musket  and 
uniform  home  with  him ;  if  fatigued,  he  threw  away  whatever 
was  burdensome  to  him.  There  were  5,000  muskets  more 
on  paper  than  were  required,  yet  many  soldiers  were  without 


Address  of  Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt  23 

them.  STEUBEN'S  first  task  was,  therefore,  to  inaugurate  a 
system  of  control  over  the  needs  and  supply  of  arms,  and,  in 
course  of  time,  he  succeeded  in  carrying  this  control  to  such 
perfection  that,  on  his  last  inspection  before  he  left  the  Army, 
there  were  but  three  muskets  missing,  and  even  those  could 
be  accounted  for. 

In  drilling  the  troops  the  Inspector  General  at  first  experi- 
enced great  difficulties  on  account  of  his  deficient  knowledge 
of  English.  The  story  goes  that  on  one  occasion,  when  he 
could  not  express  himself  with  enough  vigor,  he  turned  to  one 
of  his  officers  and  begged  him  to  swear  at  the  stupid  troops 
for  him.  But  he  carried  on  the  exercises  with  characteristic 
perseverance  and  every  morning  used  to  rise  at  3  o'clock  and 
have  all  soldiers  pass  muster.  Of  course,  he  could  not  en- 
force the  same  rigid  discipline  as  in  the  Prussian  Army,  but 
his  good  common  sense  suggested  to  him  the  right  means  to 
achieve  the  most  favorable  results.  In  the  following  cam- 
paign the  good  order  brought  about  in  the  Army  became 
apparent  in  many  ways.  A  work  of  special  merit  was 
STEUBEN'S  Regulations  for  the  Army,  which  he  wrote  in  the 
heat  of  the  campaign,  and  which,  after  its  approval  by 
Washington  and  Congress,  became  the  military  textbook  of 
this  country  under  the  title  "  Regulations  for  the  Order  and 
Discipline  of  the  Troops  of  the  United  States." 

After  he  had  been  at  Valley  Forge,  Morristown,  West 
Point,  and  in  a  number  of  engagements  as  Inspector  General 
and  Chief  of  Staff,  he  was  sent  South,  immediately  following 
the  unfortunate  Battle  of  Camden,  on  August  16,  1780, 
against  which  another  German,  Gen.  De  Kalb,  had  warned 
Gen.  Gates  in  vain  and  in  which  De  Kalb  died  a  heroic  death. 
STEUBEN  was  to  raise  troops  in  Virginia  in  support  of  Gen. 
Nathanael  Greene,  who  had  gone  to  the  Carolinas,  and  that 


24  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

proved  by  far  the  saddest  of  his  American  experiences,  owing 
to  the  indifference  of  and  lack  of  support  from  the  people  of 
Virginia.  To  Gov.  Jefferson's  repeated  calls  but  few  new 
recruits  responded,  and  on  one  occasion  out  of  500  men 
promised  by  the  governor  only  7  appeared  in  STEUBEN 's 
camp,  and  2  of  those  deserted  before  the  day  was  over. 
Whole  companies  were  decimated  by  desertions,  and  even 
the  few  who  remained  lacked  clothing,  food,  ammunition, 
and  arms.  But  not  once,  even  in  the  face  of  these  distress- 
ing circumstances,  did  STEUBEN  lose  heart.  Where  hun- 
dreds of  others  in  his  place  would  have  given  up,  he  stood 
his  ground  and  succeeded,  from  time  to  time,  in  sending  Gen. 
Greene  the  much-needed  succor. 

When  the  American  Army  was  finally  organized  in  accord- 
ance with  STEUBEN'S  plan,  he  asked  for  an  independent  com- 
mand, which,  however,  despite  Washington's  earnest  recom- 
mendation, the  Congress  refused  to  give  him,  owing  to 
jealousies  and  intrigues.  Even  this  mortification  could  not 
sway  him  from  the  conscientious  performance  of  his  duties 
as  Inspector  General;  in  fact,  in  each  instance  his  sense  of 
duty  triumphed  over  his  disappointments.  But  fate  had 
reserved  a  great  satisfaction  for  him.  It  so  happened  that 
Gen.  Cornwallis,  the  commander  in  chief  of  the  last  formi- 
dable British  army,  capitulated  to  that  brave  German  soldier. 
In  the  fall  of  1781  Cornwallis  was  besieged  at  Yorktown, 
Va.,  by  the  French  auxiliary  fleet  on  the  one  side  and  by  the 
united  American  Army  on  the  other.  Gen.  Washington, 
who  from  first  to  last  had  implicit  confidence  in  and  admira- 
tion for  Gen.  STEUBEN,  had  given  him  a  temporary  com- 
mand, and  so  it  happened  that  while  STEUBEN  was  command- 
ing in  the  trenches  the  English  general  offered  capitulation. 
When,  the  next  day,  Lafayette  appeared  to  relieve  him, 


Address  of  Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt  25 

STEUBEN  refused  to  give  up  the  command.  "  It  is  a  recog- 
nized rule  of  war,"  he  said,  "that  the  officer  who  receives 
the  first  offer  of  capitulation  must  remain  at  his  post  until 
the  negotiations  are  concluded."  Lafayette  appealed  to 
Gen.  Washington,  but  he  decided  the  controversy  in  favor 
of  STEUBEN. 

This,  my  friends,  is  but  a  meager  account  of  Baron  STEU- 
BEN'S  great  achievements,  but  enough  has  been  disclosed  to 
satisfy  us  that  he  is  worthy  of  the  lasting  gratitude  of  the 
American  people.  What  he  was  he  was  through  himself. 
He  had  to  conquer  every  foot  of  ground,  and  for  years  his 
fellow  officers,  with  a  few  honorable  exceptions,  regarded 
him  with  distrust  and  enmity  until  he  could  beat  a  path 
and  by  his  own  merit  overcome  the  prejudices  of  his  com- 
rades. His  services  were  from  beginning  to  end  acts  of 
personal  renunciation,  and  only  the  satisfaction  of  duty 
well  performed,  the  growing  prospects  of  final  success,  and 
probably  the  conviction  that  it  would  be  difficult  for  others 
to  fill  his  particular  place  could  inspire  the  loyalty  and 
cheerfulness  of  his  work.  With  him  selfish  considerations 
were  ever  pushed  into  the  background  by  his  regard  for 
the  public  welfare  and  the  sacredness  of  the  cause.  His 
lif e  proved  to  be  true  what  he  wrote  to  Congress : 

When  I  drew  my  sword  I  made  a  solemn  vow  that  only  death  could 
compel  me  to  give  up  before  Great  Britain  would  recognize  America's 
independence. 

The  greatest  honor  a  nation  can  bestow  upon  a  historical 
character  does  not  consist  in  glorifying  and  exalting  him, 
but  in  doing  him  justice  and  in  according  to  him  the  recog- 
nition honestly  due  him.  It  must,  therefore,  be  a  singular 
satisfaction  to  the  present  generation  to  know  that  Baron 
STEUBEN 's  worth  and  merits  were  highly  appreciated  and 


26  Siatue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

honored  even  during  his  lifetime.  It  is  true  there  were 
protracted  bickerings  in  Congress  as  to  the  final  accounting, 
but  in  the  end  he  was  given  a  life  pension  and  a  gold-hilted 
sword,  accompanied  by  the  most  flattering  acknowledg- 
ments of  his  valuable  services.  The  State  of  New  York 
granted  him  16,000  acres  of  land,  Pennsylvania  2,000  acres, 
Virginia  15,000  acres,  and  New  Jersey  conveyed  to  him 
an  estate  in  fee  simple  which  had  been  confiscated  from  a 
Tory,  which  STEUBEN  restored  to  the  original  owner,  how- 
ever, the  moment  he  learned  that  the  man  had  been  made 
a  pauper  by  the  confiscation.  Pennsylvania  also  conferred 
on  him  honorary  citizenship,  and  the  cities  of  New  York 
and  Albany  tendered  him  the  freedom  of  the  city,  and 
New  York  presented  him  with  a  silver-hilted  sword  and  a 
gold  box  besides.  But  what  STEUBEN  himself  prized 
highest  of  all  was  a  letter  from  his  commander  in  chief, 
Gen.  Washington,  written  at  Annapolis  on  December  23, 
1783,  a  few  moments  before  he  laid  down  his  command. 
It  was  a  testimonial  more  complimentary  than  any  given 
to  an  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  the  circum- 
stances under  which  it  was  written  no  less  than  its  contents 
touched  the  heart  of  the  old  soldier  most  deeply.  It  read 
as  follows: 

MY  DEAR  BARON:  Although  I  have  taken  frequent  opportunities,  both 
public  and  private,  to  acknowledge  your  great  zeal,  attention,  and  abilities 
in  performing  the  duties  of  your  office,  yet  I  wish  to  make  use  of  this  last 
moment  of  my  public  life  to  signify  in  the  strongest  terms  my  entire  approba- 
tion of  your  conduct  and  to  express  my  sense  of  the  obligation  the  public  is 
under  to  you  for  your  faithful  and  meritorious  services. 

I  beg  you  will  be  convinced,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  should  rejoice  if  it  could 
ever  be  in  my  power  to  serve  you  more  essentially  than  by  expressions  of 
regard  and  affection,  but  in  the  meantime  I  am  persuaded  you  will  not  be 
displeased  with  this  farewell  token  of  my  sincere  friendship  and  esteem 
for  you. 


Address  of  Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt  27 

This  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  write  while  I  continue  in  the  service  of  my 
country.  The  hour  of  my  resignation  is  fixed  at  12  to-day,  after  which  I 
shall  become  a  private  citizen  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  where  I  shall  be 
glad  to  embrace  you  and  testify  the  great  esteem  and  consideration  with 
which  I  am,  my  dear  Baron,  etc. 

To-day's  event  is  posterity's  patriotic  response  to  these 
words  of  STEUBEN'S  greatest  contemporary,  and  no  other 
evidence  was  needed  than  the  truth  of  history  and  this  letter 
of  the  Father  of  the  Country  to  justify  Congress  in  author- 
izing the  sculptor,  Albert  Jaegers,  to  create  this  beautiful 
monument. 

Unlike  many  other  foreign  officers,  Baron  STEUBEN 
never  returned  to  his  native  country  but  died  on  November 
28,  1794,  a  true  American  patriot.  His  burial  place  near 
Utica  is  known  to  but  few  of  the  present  generation,  but 
this  isolation  in  death  seems  to  have  been  in  accordance 
with  his  last  wish.  To-day  he  has  been  lifted  from  his 
obscure  grave.  His  name  is  on  the  lips  of  all,  and  the  hearts 
and  minds  of  a  grateful  Nation  revere  his  memory,  and  why  ? 
Not  only  because  he  happened  to  stand  at  the  cradle  of 
American  independence  and  helped  nurse  it  to  a  reality, 
but  also  because  of  his  sterling  qualities  of  character,  which 
by  means  of  this  monument  are  held  up  as  guiding  stars 
to  this  and  future  generations.  The  virtues  of  loyalty  and 
perseverance  in  the  performance  of  duty  count  alike  in 
peace  and  war,  in  a  soldier  and  a  citizen,  and  the  one  has 
as  many  opportunities  to  practice  them  as  the  other.  The 
nation  which  exalts  them  exalts  itself.  The  thousands  of 
American  citizens  of  German  birth  or  descent  whose  pres- 
ence makes  this  a  national  German-American  day  are  not 
here  simply  because  the  hero  we  honor  was  of  their  flesh 
and  blood.  They  have  come  because  Baron  STEUBEN  has 
shed  luster  on  the  German  name  by  the  display  of  qualities 


28  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

and  virtues  which  they  admire,  and  among  those  none  has 
more  powerfully  thrilled  their  hearts  than  his  example  of 
unswerving  loyalty  to  America.  They  rejoice,  too,  in  the 
greatness  and  magnanimity  of  a  people  which  in  honoring 
its  heroes  nobly  disregards  national  distinctions,  and  by 
placing  all  on  a  common  high  pedestal  of  fame  lives  up  to 
the  idealism  of  a  common  brotherhood  under  the  flag  of  a 
free  government.  This  is  one  of  the  lessons  proclaimed  in 
mute  but  eloquent  words  by  the  great  monument  we  are 
unveiling  to-day,  and  it  is  one  which  no  son  of  the  Republic, 
be  he  native  born  or  adopted,  should  ever  forget.  It  reveals 
a  vision  of  the  grandeur  of  American  ideals  which  should 
make  better  Americans  of  us  all. 


DR.  CHARLES  J.  HEXAMER,  OF   PHILADELPHIA, 
President  of  the  National  German-American  Alliance. 


ADDRESS  OF  DR.  CHARLES  J.  HEXAMER 

The  second  half  of  the  eighteenth  century  was  especially 
significant  and  important  in  the  political  and  cultural  devel- 
opment of  mankind.  Its  momentous  events,  occurring  in 
rapid  succession,  its  great  men,  its  bloody  wars,  its  heroes 
from  Frederick  the  Great  on  a  throne  down  to  the  lowest 
ranks  of  the  common  people,  and  its  scientists,  scholars,  and 
thinkers  of  all  nationalities  formed  in  vast  array  the  advent 
of  a  new  era.  The  portending  signs  and  events  found  their 
culmination  in  the  French  Revolution,  that  gigantic  broom 
that  swept  the  cobwebs  from  the  brains  of  men  and  re- 
moved by  one  fell  stroke  the  accumulated  rubbish  of  many 
centuries.  The  Zeitgeist  breathed  the  equality  of  man — equal 
rights  and  liberty  for  all.  The  seeds  of  coming  nations  were 
then  sown  and  a  new  order  of  things  was  evolved. 

The  events  leading  to  the  Revolution  of  the  American  Colo- 
nies, and  finally  culminating  in  the  founding  of  our  Republic, 
were  some  of  the  many  influences  which  gave  rise  to  the 
social  upheaval  in  Europe.  On  the  other  hand,  the  excesses 
of  the  Reign  of  Terror  in  France  exerted  a  beneficent  influ- 
ence in  moderating  opinions  in  our  young  Republic;  people 
learned  that  liberty  did  not  mean  license  and  that  our  Con- 
stitution stands  for  a  masterful  expression  of  the  will  of  a 
free  people  under  salutary  self-control. 

Among  the  many  valuable  services  of  Benjamin  Franklin 
and  the  "Father  of  his  Country"  must  be  mentioned  that 
they  recommended  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  to  Congress.  The 
genius  of  Washington,  with  his  knowledge  of  men  and  things, 

29 


Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 


intuitively  grasped  the  true  spirit  of  military  discipline;  not 
only  would  it  become  a  great  help  to  the  Army  and  its 
officers,  and  enable  him  to  win  battles,  but  he  also  felt  that 
its  influence  would  reach  far  into  the  future,  when,  after 
laying  aside  their  arms,  soldiers  would  again  go  about  their 
peaceful  pursuits,  and  the  golden  lessons  of  fidelity  and  dis- 
cipline, where  every  part  works  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole, 
would  finally  spread  throughout  the  broadest  strata  of  the 
Nation.  This  was  achieved,  and  was  due  in  a  great  measure 
to  "Washington's  right  arm,"  Baron  VON  STEUBEN. 

How  deep  the  sympathies  of  the  best  of  the  German 
people  were  at  the  time  for  the  American  colonists  in  their 
struggle  for  freedom  can  be  gleaned  from  Schiller's  news- 
paper articles,  and  his  "Kabale  und  Liebe"  scourges  the 
utter  rottenness  of  the  system  whereby  German  princelings 
sold  their  soldiers  as  mercenaries  to  England. 

Franklin,  when  he  met  STEUBEN  in  France,  immediately 
recognized  that  he  had  before  him  an  officer  who  not  only 
followed  the  struggle  of  the  American  Colonies  with  keen 
interest,  but  who  also  prayed  for  their  success.  The  best 
proof  of  STEUBEN'S  sentiments  is  contained  in  the  letter 
which  he  addressed,  from  Portsmouth,  to  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States,  in  which  he  states  that  the  only  motive 
bringing  him  to  this  hemisphere  is  his  desire  to  serve  a 
people  making  such  a  noble  fight  for  their  rights  and  freedom. 
He  does  not  crave  titles  or  money.  His  only  ambition  in 
entering  our  ranks  as  a  volunteer  is  to  acquire  the  confidence 
of  the  commanding  general  of  our  armies  and  to  accompany 
him  through  all  his  campaigns,  as  he  did  the  King  of  Prussia 
during  the  Seven  Years'  War.  He  would  like  to  attain  with 
his  life's  blood  the  honor  that  at  some  future  day  his  name 
may  be  enrolled  among  the  defenders  of  our  liberty. 


Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer  31 

Though  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  STEUBEN'S  biography  is 
well  known,  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  limn  by  a  few  sketches  the 
career  of  this  extraordinary  man. 

Among  European  officers  of  our  War  of  Independence 
FREDERICK  WII^IAM  HENRY  FERDINAND  VON  STEUBEN  is 
undoubtedly  the  foremost  in  military  knowledge.  He  ren- 
dered services  to  our  Nation  which  for  actual  value  leave 
those  of  others  far  behind,  although  some  may  be  better 
known  to  our  people  through  the  glamour  of  romance  and 
deeds  of  a  more  spectacular  display. 

He  was  born  on  November  15,  1730,  at  Magdeburg,  the 
son  of  the  Prussian  Capt.  von  Steuben,  a  descendant  of  an 
old  and  noble  family,  which  for  generations  had  produced 
famous  soldiers.  He  entered  the  Prussian  Army  at  the  early 
age  of  14,  was  wounded  at  the  Battle  of  Prag,  serving  in  the 
Volunteer  Battalion  of  von  Mayr,  and  fought  throughout  the 
Seven  Years'  War.  At  Kunersdorf  he  was  again  wounded 
and  taken  prisoner.  He  became  adjutant  to  Gen.  von  Hiil- 
sen.  Fighting  at  one  time  against  the  French,  at  another 
against  the  Russians  and  Austrians,  he  so  distinguished 
himself  that  in  1 762  he  became  captain  of  the  staff  and  per- 
sonal adjutant  of  the  King.  Later  he  commanded  a  cavalry 
regiment.  He  resigned  his  commission  in  1763. 

After  several  years  of  service  as  court  marshal  to  the 
Prince  of  Hohenzollern-Hechingen,  while  a  general  in  the 
army  of  the  Markgrave  of  Baden,  he  again  met,  on  a  visit 
to  Paris,  in  December,  1777,  his  friend  St.  Germain,  French 
minister  of  war.  The  latter  advised  him  to  go  to  America. 
Benjamin  Franklin,  at  that  time  our  ambassador  to  France, 
did  likewise,  and  rejoiced  when  he  found  that  it  did  not  re- 
quire much  persuasion.  STEUBEN  was  considered  an  au- 
thority on  military  matters.  As  a  member  of  the  staff  of 


32  Statue  of  Baron  i)on  Steuben 

Frederick  the  Great  he  had  actively  and  carefully  studied 
the  commissary  departments.  He  had  seen  how  to  provi- 
sion and  keep  armies  in  an  efficient  state  of  health,  and 
knew  how  to  handle  large  military  bodies.  In  short,  he 
was  "a  past  master  of  all  the  sciences  of  war,  had  ac- 
quired his  knowledge  at  the  most  famous  high  school  of 
those  times,  and,  what  was  more,  he  had  proved  himself 
worthy  and  distinguished." 

He  no  doubt  felt  that  among  the  American  patriots  he 
would  find  excellent  raw  material,  "Free  men  fighting  for 
liberty,  willing  and  capable  of  enduring  every  hardship  that 
would  lead  them  to  victory."  The  masses  of  recruits  needed 
vigorous  measures  to  make  them  valuable.  And  in  STEUBEN 
lived  the  enthusiasm  of  the  creator,  the  master,  whose  heart 
and  soul  were  in  his  work.  We  can  in  truth  call  him  the 
"  Father  of  the  American  Army."  Like  a  father  he  rejoiced 
in  the  progress  of  his  men.  He  started  his  work  with  a  num- 
ber of  picked  men,  and  in  a  fortnight  his  company  knew  how 
to  bear  arms  and  had  a  military  air,  knew  how  to  march,  and 
to  form  in  columns,  to  deploy  and  execute  maneuvers  with 
excellent  precision. 

Well  could  the  Secretary  of  War  at  the  time  write  that  all 
congratulated  themselves  on  the  arrival  of  such  a  man,  ex- 
perienced in  military  matters.  His  services  were  the  more 
valuable  because  the  want  of  discipline  and  internal  order 
in  our  Army  was  generally  felt  and  greatly  regretted.  The 
general  state  of  affairs  on  the  arrival  of  STEUBEN  can  best 
be  gleaned  from  STEUBEN'S  notes,  which  are  preserved  in 
the  archives  of  the  Historical  Society  of  New  York. 

The  Army  was  divided  into  divisions,  brigades,  and 
regiments,  commanded  by  major  generals,  brigadier  gen- 
erals, and  colonels.  Congress  had  stipulated  the  number 


Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer  33 

of  soldiers  for  a  regiment  and  a  company,  but  the  constant 
flood  and  tide  of  men  having  enlisted  for  six  or  nine  months 
made  the  condition  of  a  regiment  or  a  company  problem- 
atical. The  words  "company,"  "regiment,"  "brigade," 
or  "division"  meant  nothing,  as  they  certainly  offered  no 
standard  for  figuring  the  strength  of  a  corps  or  of  the  Army. 
The  number  of  men  in  them  was  so  changeable  that  it  was 
impossible  to  arrange  a  maneuver.  Often  a  regiment  was 
stronger  than  a  brigade.  STEUBEN  saw  a  regiment  of  30 
men  and  a  company  which  consisted  of  a  corporal.  Rec- 
ords were  badly  kept,  reliable  reports  were  impossible,  and 
conclusive  evidence  could  not  be  gained  of  where  the  men 
were  and  whether  the  money  due  them  had  been  actually 
paid.  Officers  employed  two  and  some  even  four  soldiers 
as  body  servants. 

Military  discipline  did  not  exist.  Regiments  were  made 
up  at  random.  Some  had  3,  others  5,  8,  and  9  subdivisions. 
The  Canadian  regiment  even  had  2 1 . 

Every  colonel  used  the  system  he  personally  preferred. 
One  used  the  English,  another  the  French,  and  a  third  the 
Prussian  regulations.  Only  on  the  march  unanimity  of 
system  reigned.  "They  all  used  the  single-file  march  of 
the  Indians." 

Furloughs  and  discharges  were  granted  without  the 
knowledge  of  higher  officers.  When  the  troops  were,  in 
camp,  the  officers  did  not  stay  with  them,  but  lived  apart, 
sometimes  several  miles  away,  and  in  winter  usually  went 
to  their  homes.  Often  but  four  officers  remained  with  a 
regiment.  The  officers  thought  that  their  duties  consisted 
in  attending  guard  mount  and  to  head  their  troops  in 
battle. 

84647°— 14 3 


34  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

Soldiers  did  not  know  how  to  use  their  weapons,  had  no 
confidence  in  them,  and  used  their  bayonets  as  spits  to 
broil  their  food  when  they  had  any.  Uniforms  could 
easily  be  described,  because  the  troops  were  almost  naked. 
The  few  officers  who  had  military  coats  at  all  had  them  of 
any  kind,  color,  and  cut.  STEUBEN  states  that  at  a  "dress 
parade  "  he  saw  officers  in  sleeping-gowns,  which  had  been 
made  from  old  woolen  blankets  and  bedspreads. 

Such  a  thing  as  the  proper  administration  of  a  regiment 
none  knew.  The  consequence  was  that  chaotic  disorder 
reigned  everywhere,  and  the  results  obtained  were  ludi- 
crously inadequate  in  proportion  to  the  sums  expended. 

Just  as  little  as  the  officers  knew  of  the  numbers  of  men 
at  their  command  as  little  did  they  know  about  the  weapons, 
ammunition,  and  equipment  of  their  troops.  No  one  kept 
records  or  accounts  except  the  Army  contractors  who 
supplied  the  different  articles. 

A  terrible  scarcity  of  money  reigned  all  over  the  country. 
The  British  had  put  large  quantities  of  counterfeit  paper 
money  in  circulation,  which  brought  with  it  an  enormous 
devaluation;  $400  to  $600  were  asked  for  a  pair  of  shoes, 
and  it  took  a  "month's  pay  of  a  common  soldier  to  buy  a 
square  meal." 

We  must  recall  these  facts  in  order  to  estimate  at  its  full 
value  STEUBEN'S  great  sacrifice  in  remaining  at  his  post. 
One  not  of  the  moral  caliber  of  STEUBEN  would  have  pre- 
cipitately fled  from  the  service,  for  neither  pecuniary  nor 
social  advantages  were  to  be  gained  by  serving  the  Colonies. 

The  horrors  of  the  camp  of  Valley  Forge,  where  he  was 
first  sent,  are  known  to  every  school  child.  STEUBEN 
showed  himself  worthy  of  the  trust  imposed  in  him.  Wash- 
ington had  appointed  him  Inspector  General,  and  soon 


Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer  35 

STEUBEN  showed  the  stuff  he  was  made  of,  bringing  order 
out  of  the  chaos,  introducing  an  excellent  system  of  ac- 
counts and  strict  military  discipline.  He  could  not  speak 
English  well,  but  in  spite  of  this  handicap  he  succeeded 
in  the  difficult  task,  for  a  foreigner,  of  making  himself  be- 
loved and  popular  with  all  classes.  He  introduced  system- 
atic regulations,  held  daily  reviews,  personally  inspected 
everything,  and  made  himself  familiar  with  every  detail. 
Droll  incidents,  of  course,  took  place;  the  men  made  mis- 
takes in  maneuvering,  the  Baron  made  bad  breaks  in  Eng- 
lish, his  volleys  of  French  and  German  were  in  vain,  and 
though  he  swore  in  three  languages,  that  did  not  help 
matters;  but  suddenly  STEUBEN 's  good  common  sense  and 
generous  heart  would  assert  themselves  and  he  would  call 
his  adjutant  to  help  him  scold  these  dunces  (Dummkopfe) , 
in  reality  to  explain  in  plain  English  what  he  wanted  the  men 
to  do.  It  was  his  big  and  generous  heart  which  soon  made 
him  a  universal  favorite,  for  he  not  only  enforced  strict 
discipline,  but  he  also  scrupulously  looked  after  the  welfare 
of  every  soldier.  He  investigated  everything,  the  reports  of 
physicians,  the  condition  of  the  sick,  the  treatment  the  men 
received  from  their  officers,  the  quarters  and  provisions  given 
to  his  men,  and,  finally,  he  was  always  with  them.  Up  at 
break  of  day,  always  active,  never  tiring,  he  accompanied 
his  men  on  their  marches  and  participated  in  their  hard- 
ships and  in  camp  he  arranged  their  amusements.  His  tact 
and  sound  judgment  were  apparent  everywhere,  the  mili- 
tary tactics  of  the  school  of  Frederick  the  Great  were 
adapted  to  the  conditions  of  the  American  troops  and  their 
surroundings.  He  was  not  a  blind  follower  of  military 
customs  and  superannuated  formulas,  as  one  might  have 
easily  been  led  to  expect.  His  instructions  were  fitted  to 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


local  conditions  and,  therefore,  were  appreciated;  the 
officers  strove  zealously  to  emulate  his  example.  Soon  raw 
recruits  were  transformed  into  active  and  able  parts  of 
Washington's  war  machine. 

Thus  STEUBEN  in  spirit  as  well  as  in  fact  became  "the 
drillmaster  of  the  Continental  Army,"  an  unselfish  and 
faithful  helper,  esteemed  by  Washington,  who  well  knew 
that  STEUBEN  was  worthy  the  order  of  merit  and  faithful- 
ness his  former  master  had  bestowed  upon  him. 

STEUBEN  was  not  a  stickler  for  forms,  not  a  mere  "  drill 
sergeant,"  but  a  broad-minded  man,  head  and  shoulders 
above  most  of  those  of  his  time  who  had  taken  up  the  "  art 
of  war"  as  a  profession. 

He  possessed  the  genius  of  a  great  military  organizer, 
creating  armies  out  of  nothing,  "stamping  them  out  of  the 
ground."  Thus  in  Virginia,  in  the  winter  of  1780  and 
1781,  after  the  unfortunate  Battle  of  Camden,  S.  C., 
STEUBEN  was  sent  with  Gen.  Greene  "to  create  an  army." 
In  spite  of  great  difficulties,  such  as  demoralization,  igno- 
rance of  military  discipline,  and  the  pervading  tendency 
to  "plunder,"  he  succeeded  so  well  that  Arnold's  maraud- 
ing invasion  was  halted  and  Lafayette  could  score  successes. 
With  a  strong  hand,  by  hard  personal  application,  he  broke 
the  prejudice  of  officers  who  thought  it  beneath  them  to 
personally  teach  common  soldiers.  This  born  aristocrat 
showed  his  fellow  officers  how  democratic  he  was  at  heart, 
working  to  achieve  results,  and  knowing  no  social  barriers 
to  accomplish  them.  His  example  was  contagious,  and 
jealous  opponents  were  silenced  by  the  excellent  results  of 
STEUBEN'S  methods. 

Gen.  Scammel  wrote  to  Sullivan  that  "  Baron  STEUBEN 
sets  all  a  truly  noble  example.     He  is  a  past  master  in 


Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer  37 

everything,  from  the  big  maneuver  down  to  the  smallest 
detail  of  the  service.  Officers  and  soldiers  alike  admire  in 
him  a  distinguished  man  who  held  a  prominent  place  under 
the  great  Prussian  monarch,  and  who  now,  notwithstand- 
ing this  fact,  condescends,  with  a  grace  wholly  his  own, 
to  drill  a  small  body  of  10  or  12  men  as  a  drillmaster." 
Under  his  leadership  extraordinary  progress  had  been  made 
toward  order  and  discipline  within  the  whole  Army.  The 
great  change  which  became  everywhere  apparent  caused 
Washington  to  report  to  Congress  that  he  would  not  be 
doing  his  duty  if  he  should  longer  keep  silent  in  regard  to 
the  high  merits  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN.  His  ability  and 
knowledge,  the  never-tiring  zeal  with  which  he  labored 
since  he  entered  his  office,  constituted  an  important  gain 
for  the  Army. 

The  results  of  STEUBEN'S  "drilling"  were  forcibly  shown 
at  the  Battle  of  Monmouth,  when  Lee's  lines,  through 
incompetence  or  treachery,  were  breaking  in  confusion 
and  defeat  seemed  certain,  and  STEUBEN,  by  Washington's 
command,  brought  the  impending  flight  to  a  standstill  and 
led  the  reunited  lines  against  the  fire  of  the  enemy — a 
splendid  example  of  discipline  and  mutual  confidence 
between  leader  and  troops.  Alexander  Hamilton,  an  eye- 
witness, declared  that  he  then  for  the  first  time  became 
aware  of  the  overwhelming  importance  of  military  training 
and  discipline.  Discipline  and  drill  had  saved  the  day  for 
the  cause  of  liberty  and  had  proved  to  the  American  Army 
that  it  was  able  to  cope  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  drilled 
armies  of  the  enemy. 

That  STEUBEN  was  a  master  of  military  science,  using  his 
own  ideas,  is  clearly  shown  by  the  rules  and  regulations  he 
issued  under  extraordinary  difficulties  during  the  winter 


Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


campaign  of  1778  and  1779.  He  was  the  inventor  of  the 
formation  of  light  infantry,  a  lesson  to  be  learned  even  by 
his  former  master,  Frederick  the  Great,  who  studied  the 
American  War  closely  and  adopted  the  system  in  his  own 
army,  then  the  model  of  the  world,  blindly  followed  by  all 
the  armies  of  Europe. 

STEUBEN'S  regulations  were  used  for  generations  after 
his  death,  until  new  inventions  and  conditions  made  changes 
necessary. 

In  Washington's  council  of  war  STEUBEN'S  word  was  of 
great  influence  and  often  heeded.  In  the  archives  of  the 
Historical  Society  of  New  York  his  carefully  drawn  plans 
of  campaign  are  still  to  be  found. 

At  the  siege  of  Yorktown  he  was  the  only  American 
general  who  had  previously  participated  at  sieges,  at  Prag 
and  Schweidnitz,  and  so  it  happened  that  he  was  in  com- 
mand, his  troops  occupying  the  most  advanced  trenches, 
when  Cornwallis  raised  the  white  flag  of  surrender.  Wash- 
ington in  the  Army  order  of  the  next  day  specially  mentions 
that  to  brave  STEUBEN  belonged  a  great  part  of  the  credit 
of  victory. 

After  peace  had  been  declared  and  the  Army  was  dis- 
banded, Washington  commended,  in  his  own  handwriting, 
the  extraordinary  services  which  Gen.  STEUBEN  had  rendered 
the  American  cause. 

Washington  was  the  moving  spirit,  the  soul  of  the  great 
fight  for  freedom,  but  to  STEUBEN  must  be  awarded  the  credit 
of  having  been  the  power  which  supplied  that  master  spirit 
with  the  means.  Clear-sighted  historians  do  not  hesitate 
to  designate  STEUBEN  as  the  most  valuable  man  Europe 
gave  America  in  our  fight  for  freedom. 


Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer  39 

As  has  been  said: 

His  system  of  reviews,  reports,  and  inspections  gave  efficiency  to  the  soldiers, 
confidence  to  the  commander,  and  saved  the  Treasury  not  less  than  $600,000. 

Congress  considered  STEUBEN'S  services  too  valuable  to 
discharge  him  after  peace  was  declared,  and  it  was  STEUBEN 
who  worked  out  the  plans  for  the  establishment  of  our 
small  standing  Army  and  the  foundation  of  our  Military 
Academy.  In  spite  of  strong  opposition  his  recommenda- 
tions received  the  support  of  Washington,  and  Congress 
adopted  them.  The  Military  Academy  he  suggested  is 
to-day  none  other  than  the  Nation's  famous  Military 
Academy  at  West  Point.  STEUBEN'S  plans  included  pro- 
fessorships of  history,  geography,  international  law,  ora- 
tory, the  fine  arts,  etc.  He  held  that  an  officer  should 
have  a  liberal  education  and  the  best  moral  and  physical 
training  obtainable. 

When  in  1784  the  place  of  Secretary  of  War  became 
vacant,  STEUBEN  applied  for  it,  believing  that  he  could 
serve  his  country  well.  Political  cliques  and  intrigues 
shelved  his  aspirations;  the  threadbare  excuse,  for  the  want 
of  a  better  one,  that  he  was  a  ' '  foreigner ' '  to  whom  such  an 
important  post  should  not  be  intrusted,  was  put  forward; 
such  was  the  gratitude  of  our  Republic  after  a  great  war, 
in  which  STEUBEN  had  so  forcibly  proved  his  fidelity  and 
force  of  character. 

He  keenly  took  this  disappointment  to  heart,  and  in 
March,  1784,  tendered  his  resignation.  Congress  accepted 
it  on  April  15,  with  the  resolution  that  the  thanks  of 
the  United  States  be  expressed  to  him  for  the  great  zeal 
and  the  efficiency  he  had  displayed  in  every  position  in- 
trusted to  him,  and  presented  him  with  a  gold-handled 
sword  as  a  sign  of  the  high  appreciation  of  his  character 


40  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuhen 

and  merits.  The  States  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  Virginia  made  him  grants  of  land. 

In  trying  to  procure  reimbursement  for  the  large  sums 
he  had  advanced  during  the  war  he,  however,  experienced 
endless  trouble  and  annoyances.  Other  men  had  come  to 
the  front  and  supported  the  claims  of  generals  they  favored. 
Finally,  at  a  session  when  some  opponents  even  argued  in 
favor  of  repudiating  the  contracts  made  in  good  faith, 
Representative  Page  arose  and  told  how  STEUBEN  had 
offered  us  his  sword  under  generous  terms  and  had  ren- 
dered us  such  essential  services  that  one  should  blush  for 
Congress  if  the  views  of  certain  Members  were  adopted, 
that  it  was  unworthy  of  Congress  to  split  hairs  about  the 
meaning  of  the  terms  of  contracts,  and  that  he  did  not 
weigh  them  according  to  the  amount  of  money  involved, 
for  he  considered  the  services  of  the  distinguished  veteran 
more  valuable  than  the  highest  sum  which  could  possibly 
be  awarded  him. 

Returning  to  private  life,  STEUBEN  became  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  of  the  highest  type.  He  probably  gave  the 
first  impulse  to  the  founding  of  the  Order  of  the  Cincinnati, 
and  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  this  patriotic 
society.  He  was  elected  a  regent  of  the  University  of 
New  York,  and  at  all  times  kept  in  touch  with  all  ques- 
tions, civil  or  military.  The  German  Society  of  New 
York  reveres  in  him  one  of  its  founders,  and  he  was  its 
president  until  his  death.  This  society  had  been  founded 
in  1784,  to  aid  German  immigrants  on  similar  lines  to  the 
German  Society  of  Pennsylvania,  founded  20  years  before. 

STEUBEN  could  enjoy  but  a  short  time  the  annual  pen- 
sion of  $2,500  finally  granted  him  in  1790  and  the  land 
grant  of  the  State  of  New  York.  He  had  retired  to  his 


Address  of  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer  41 

farm  in  the  summer  of  1794;  as  usual,  he  went  to  spend 
the  hot  season  under  the  oak  trees  that  shaded  his  simple 
hut,  occupying  his  time  with  agricultural  pursuits  and 
scientific  studies,  when  he  was  suddenly  stricken.  The 
brave  warrior  and  noble  citizen  was  never  fully  to  recover. 
He  died  shortly  after  his  sixty -fourth  birthday,  on  No- 
vember 28,  1794. 

On  Oneida's  heights,  deep  within  an  old  forest  reserva- 
tion, we  find  a  massive  monument  of  gray  stones  to  which 
the  mosses  and  lichens  fondly  cling.  Here  rest  the  mortal 
remains  of  STEUBEN,  the  father  of  the  American  Army. 

We  honor  ourselves  in  honoring  the  memory  of  our 
great  dead. 

The  great  oaks  about  his  grave  will  fall  in  the  course 
of  time,  time  will  also  crumble  this  statue  into  dust,  but 
as  long  as  the  American  Nation  exists  the  memory  of 
STEUBEN  will  endure. 


COUNT  JOHANN    HEINRICH   VON   BERNSTORFF, 
The  German  Ambassador  to  the  United  States. 


ADDRESS  OF 
COUNT  JOHANN  HEINRICH  VON  BERNSTORFF 

Mr.  PRESIDENT,  LADIES,  AND  GENTLEMEN:  I  highly 
appreciate  the  honor  and  privilege  of  appearing  before 
and  addressing  this  imposing  gathering  in  the  presence 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States.  Many  descend- 
ants of  the  old  German  stock  who  have  found  a  new  home 
in  this  hospitable  country,  and  now  form  a  natural  bond 
of  an  ever-increasing  friendship  between  Germany  and 
the  United  States,  have  come  to  Washington  to-day  to 
do  honor  to  the  memory  of  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
of  their  number  at  the  foot  of  his  statue,  which  is  also  the 
work  of  an  American  citizen  of  German  descent.  I  am 
therefore  very  pleased  to  be  able  to  regard  this  monument 
not  only  as  one  erected  to  the  memory  of  a  distinguished 
German  officer,  who  ably  served  this  country,  but  also 
as  a  monument  to  the  unbroken  friendship  which  has 
existed  between  Germany  and  the  United  States  since 
the  birth  of  the  people  of  the  United  States  as  a  nation. 
In  those  days  the  great  King  from  whom  STEUBEN  learnt 
the  art  of  war  issued  his  order  refusing  transit  through 
Prussian  territory  to  the  Hessian  and  other  German  troops 
hired  to  fight  against  the  Colonists.  Frederick  the  Great 
was  also  one  of  the  first  to  recognize  the  independence 
of  the  Colonies  by  concluding  a  treaty  of  commerce  with 
the  United  States.  This  monument  will  all  the  more 
be  a  token  of  the  old  friendship  existing  between  the  two 
great  nations,  as  the  United  States  Congress,  besides  mu- 
nificently providing  for  the  erection  of  this  statue,  has 

43 


44  Statue  of  Baron  Don  Steuben 

decided  to  present  a  copy  of  it  to  the  Emperor.  Here 
and  in  Germany  whoever  regards  one  of  the  two  monu- 
ments will  be  reminded  of  the  ancient  ties  of  friendship 
uniting  him  with  his  cousins  beyond  the  ocean. 

STEUBEN  was  not  an  adventurer  purely  seeking  per- 
sonal fame  and  money.  He  had  been  a  distinguished 
officer  in  the  great  Frederick's  army,  in  which  he  was  con- 
nected with  the  quartermaster's  department,  and  an  aid- 
de-camp  to  the  King.  He  came  to  America  at  the  request 
of  Benjamin  Franklin  and  with  a  letter  of  introduction 
from  him.  STEUBEN  himself  wrote  to  Congress  that  the 
honor  of  serving  a  nation  engaged  in  the  noble  enterprise 
of  defending  its  rights  and  liberties  was  the  reason  that 
brought  him  to  this  continent.  STEUBEN  joined  the 
American  troops  during  the  gloomy  winter  at  Valley  Forge 
and  was  soon  afterwards  appointed  Inspector  General  of 
the  Army.  The  condition  of  the  troops  at  that  time  is  too 
well  known  to  need  description.  Their  inability  to  sus- 
tain a  contest  against  the  organized  English  soldiers  had 
been  taught  in  a  woeful  lesson  by  the  campaign  of  1776  in 
New  York  and  New  Jersey.  It  is  recognized  by  all  Amer- 
ican historians  that  none  of  the  foreign  officers  rendered 
more  important  services  than  STEUBEN  did  by  organizing 
and  disciplining  the  Army,  introducing  a  system  of  military 
tactics,  and  creating  the  Engineer  and  Artillery  Corps. 
Educated  in  the  best  school  of  war  of  his  time,  approved 
and  trusted  by  the  great  Frederick,  his  services  to  his  adopted 
country  were  invaluable.  STEUBEN  succeeded  in  bringing 
order  out  of  the  general  confusion,  reducing  the  raw  re- 
cruits to  a  homogeneous  mass  with  the  old  troops,  and 
accustoming  the  whole  to  the  utmost  precision  of  move- 
ment and  management  of  arms  and  to  yield  punctilious 


Address  of  Count  Johann  Heinrich  von  Bernstorff  *  45 

obedience  to  orders.  By  imparting  discipline  he  gave 
confidence  to  the  officers  and  men  and  enabled  the  troops 
from  different  parts  of  the  country  to  act  together  with 
unanimity  and  effect.  By  introducing  military  habits  of 
strict  obedience  he  suppressed  tumult  and  disorder,  and 
by  his  rigid  system  of  inspection  great  sums  were  saved  at 
a  time  when  the  very  existence  of  the  Nation  depended  on 
economy  in  the  Army.  Warm-hearted,  affectionate,  gen- 
erous to  the  extreme,  the  soldiers  loved  him,  and  many 
officers  regarded  him  with  romantic  affection.  He  was 
prompt  to  acknowledge  a  mistake  and  eager  to  make 
reparation  wherever  it  was  due. 

I  can  not  close  my  few  remarks  in  a  better  way  than  by 
quoting  the  words  of  your  national  hero,  George  Washing- 
ton. On  the  day  he  resigned  his  commission  as  commander 
in  chief  he  wrote  to  STEUBEN  that  he  wished  to  make  use 
of  the  last  moment  of  his  public  life  to  express  to  STEUBEN 
in  the  strongest  terms  his  sense  of  the  obligations  the 
public  was  under  to  him  for  his  faithful  and  meritorious 
services. 


MISS  HELEN  TAFT. 


UNVEILING  OF  THE  STATUE 

Following  the  address  of  the  German  ambassador, 
Count  von  Bernstorff,  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEU- 
BEN  was  unveiled  by  Miss  Helen  Taft,  daughter  of  the 
President.  As  the  two  big  American  flags,  which  had 
concealed  the  statue  up  to  this  time,  were  drawn  apart 
revealing  the  handsome  tribute  from  this  Nation  to  Wash- 
ington's famous  drillmaster,  the  Northeastern  Singers' 
Association,  nearly  1,000  voices  strong,  led  the  singing 
of  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner"  in  a  most  inspiring  man- 
ner, accompanied  by  the  United  States  Marine  Band. 
Then  followed  the  salute  of  honor  by  Battery  E,  Third 
Field  Artillery,  but  even  the  roaring  cannons  failed  to 
equal  the  reverberating  cheers  of  the  delighted  multi- 
tude that  had  gathered  to  do  honor  to  the  great  general 
who  had  aided  so  generously  in  the  successes  of  the  Con- 
tinental Army. 

The  sculptor,  Mr.  Albert  Jaegers,  was  introduced  then 
by  the  presiding  officer,  the  Secretary  of  War,  who  paid 
him  high  tribute  for  the  magnificent  statue  he  had  cre- 
ated to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  STEUBEN.  Mr.  Jaegers 
spoke  briefly  of  STEUBEN.  The  vast  audience  attested 
its  appreciation  of  the  sculptor's  work  by  long-continued 
applause. 

The  unveiling  ceremony  was  followed  by  the  address 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  William  Howard 
Taft. 

47 


ADDRESS  OF 
THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 

Mr.  CHAIRMAN,  Mr.  AMBASSADOR,  LADIES  AND  GENTLE- 
MEN: We  dedicate  to-day  the  last  of  the  monuments 
which  fill  the  four  corners  of  this  beautiful  square  and 
which  testify  to  the  gratitude  of  the  American  people  to 
those  from  France,  from  Poland,  and  from  Prussia  who 
aided  them  in  their  struggle  for  national  independence 
and  existence.  Lafayette,  Rochambeau,  Kosciuszko,  and 
VON  STEUBEN  contributed  much  to  the  success  of  Ameri- 
can arms  in  the  Revolution.  The  assistance  of  the  first 
three  was,  perhaps,  more  conspicuous  and  spectacular 
than  that  of  VON  STEUBEN,  but  it  was  not  so  valuable. 
VON  STEUBEN  was  a  trained  soldier  from  boyhood.  He 
learned  his  profession  at  the  best  of  schools — that  is,  in 
actual  warfare,  under  the  direct  instruction  of  the  greatest 
master  of  the  art  of  war  of  the  eighteenth  century.  The 
character  and  severity  of  the  drill  and  discipline  and  the 
tactics  of  the  German  Army  were  as  exceptional  in  the 
days  of  Frederick  William  and  of  Frederick  the  Great  as 
they  are  to-day.  The  word  "thorough"  described  them 
then;  it  describes  them  now. 

Baron  VON  STEUBEN  came  to  this  country,  actuated  by 
the  highest  motives  of  patriotism,  to  help  us  achieve  lib- 
erty, and  he  brought  with  him  that  which  was  without 
money  and  without  price  and  which  he  infused  into  the 
rank  and  file  of  the  Revolutionary  Army — discipline  and 
organization.  He  began  his  desperate  task  with  the 
Army  at  Valley  Forge  iri  the  winter  of  1777-78,  and  as 

84647°— 14 4  49 


Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


early  as  May  of  1778  his  influence  for  good  was  manifest 
in  the  Battle  of  Monmouth  and  in  the  other  campaigns 
of  that  year.  Alexander  Hamilton,  an  accomplished  sol- 
dier, testified  to  the  marvelous  effect  of  VON  STEUBEN'S 
discipline  upon  the  action  of  the  American  soldiers  under 
fire. 

The  effect  of  STEUBEN'S  instruction  in  the  American 
Army  teaches  us  a  lesson  that  it  is  well  for  us  all  to  keep 
in  mind,  and  that  is  that  no  people,  however  warlike  in 
spirit  and  ambition,  in  natural  courage  and  self-confi- 
dence, can  be  made  at  once,  by  uniforms  and  guns,  a  mil- 
itary force.  Until  they  learn  drill  and  discipline,  they  are 
a  mob,  and  the  theory  that  they  can  be  made  an  army 
overnight  has  cost  this  Nation  billions  of  dollars  and  thou- 
sands of  lives. 

The  history  of  VON  STEUBEN'S  services  shows  him  a 
kindly,  considerate,  brave,  and  accomplished  soldier.  As 
Inspector  General,  his  achievements  were  not  the  successes 
of  an  independent  command,  but  they  were  the  prepara- 
tion by  persistent  but  tedious  drilling  and  discipline  of 
men  to  serve  effectively  under  other  commanders  and  to 
win  for  them  victory.  It  seemed  a  thankless  task,  for  it 
had  none  of  the  spectacular  in  it,  none  of  the  glory  of 
military  triumph.  It  was  the  basic  hard  work  without 
which  such  triumphs  could  not  be  won,  but  the  results 
inured  to  the  glory  of  others. 

STEUBEN  asked  for  no  reward,  except  that  if  his  services 
were  satisfactory,  at  the  end  of  the  war  he  should  be  rec- 
ompensed for  the  sacrifices  he  had  made  in  leaving  his 
home  and  giving  up  lucrative  rank  and  office.  Wash- 
ington, that  calm,  sane,  just  judge  of  men,  recognized 
fully  the  debt  that  he  and  the  Army  and  the  people  owed 


Address  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  51 

to  VON  STEUBEN,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  he 
gave  his  evidence  as  he  laid  down  his  command  of  the 
Army  in  a  letter  full  of  expressions  of  gratitude  to  his 
comrade  in  arms,  whose  important  aid  at  a  critical  junc- 
ture he  fully  appreciated. 

When  Baron  STEUBEN  came  to  this  country  he  found 
Germans  who  had  preceded  him,  and  who,  like  him,  had 
elected  to  make  this  their  permanent  home.  Since  his  day 
millions  of  his  countrymen  have  come  to  be  Americans, 
and  it  adds  great  interest  to  our  celebration  and  empha- 
sizes the  propriety  of  the  action  of  Congress  in  erecting 
this  statue  to  know  that  the  German  race  since  the  Revo- 
lution has  made  so  large  a  part  of  our  population  and 
played  so  prominent  a  part  in  the  great  growth  and  de- 
velopment of  our  country.  It  is  particularly  appropriate 
that  there  is  present  the  German  ambassador,  the  per- 
sonal representative  of  the  illustrious  successor  of  Fred- 
erick the  Great.  The  Germans  who  have  become  Ameri- 
can citizens  and  their  descendants  may  well  take  pride  in 
this  occasion  and  in  this  work  of  art,  modeled  by  the 
hand  of  an  American  of  German  descent,  which  com- 
memorates the  valued  contribution  made  by  a  German 
soldier  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom  at  the  time  of 
its  birth. 


Hi  03    9f 
tuu:  ,'riru 


ornod  j 


BENEDICTION 

By  Rev.  WILUAM  T.  RussEUU,  D.  D.(  rector  of  St.  Patrick's  Catholic  Church, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

May  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God,  the  Father,  the 
Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  whose  power  extends  from  end 
to  end  mightily,  and  who  disposes  all  things  sweetly, 
descend  upon  us  and  preserve  to  us  intact  the  blessings 
of  peace,  won  for  us  by  the  sacrifices  of  our  heroic 
ancestors.  Amen. 
52 


NEWSPAPER 
COMM  ENT 


ON  THE  UNVEILING, 
PARADE,  AND  ATTEND- 
ANT CEREMONIES 


MAJ.  GEN.  WILLIAM    H.  CARTER,  U.  S.  A., 

Grand  marshal  of  the  military  and  civic  parade  at  the  unveiling  of  the  Steuben  Monument  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  December  7,  1910. 


[Extracti  from  The  Evening  Star,  Washington,  D.  C.,  December  7,  1910] 

NATION'S  TRIBUTE  TO  VON  STEUBEN 

BRONZE   STATUE   OF   WASHINGTON'S   GREAT   DRILLMASTER   UNVEILED 
IN  LAFAYETTE  PARK 

German  societies  take  part  in  big  parade — Chorus  of  1,000  voices  is  heard  in  patriotic  songs — 
Miss  Helen  Taft  draws  cord — Addresses  by  the  President,  the  German  Ambassador,  and 
Representative  Bartholdt,  of  Missouri — Delegations  from  New  York 

In  weather  perhaps  as  bleak  as  that  which  enfolded 
the  cheerless  camp  of  the  great  commander  in  chief  at 
Valley  Forge,  when  barefoot  Colonials  tracked  their 
course  in  blood  over  the  pitiless  snow,  the  United  States 
of  America,  133  years  later,  this  afternoon,  at  the  Capital 
of  the  Nation,  unveiled  the  statue  of  FREDERICK  WIL- 
LIAM AUGUSTUS  HENRY  FERDINAND,  Baron  VON  STEUBEN, 
the  adjutant  general  of  the  armies  of  Frederick  the  Great, 
the  friend  of  Washington,  and  the  great  inspector  of  the 
Colonial  Army  that  wrested  its  independence  from  the 
British  Crown. 

Surrounding  the  tribute  of  bronze  were  thousands  of 
VON  STEUBEN'S  countrymen,  proud  of  heart  and  exultant 
at  the  honor  conferred  upon  their  great  representative, 
who,  in  his  time,  conferred  honor  upon  their  adopted 
country  and  gave  to  it  all  the  force  of  his  military  wis- 
dom and  skill  in  its  fight  for  liberty.  Not  the  barefoot 
and  disorganized  stragglers  of  the  patriotic  Army  of  long 
ago,  but  officers  and  troops  of  an  Army  and  Navy  second 
to  none  in  Christendom,  were  gathered  with  them,  while 
on  all  sides  Americans  to  the  manner  born  joined  with 
all  in  the  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  great  man  who 
yet  lives  in  the  proudest  annals  of  their  native  land. 

After  a  ringing  chorus  by  nearly  a  thousand  voices  of 
the  Northeastern  Singers'  Association  and  the  invocation 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Charles  F.  Steck,  Jacob  M.  Dickinson,  Sec- 

55 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


retary  of  War,  who  presided  at  the  ceremonies,  introduced 
Representative  Richard  Bartholdt,  of  Missouri,  who  deliv- 
ered the  opening  address. 

*  *  *  *  * 

Representative  Bartholdt's  address  was  followed  with 
one  by  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer,  president  of  the  National 
German-  American  Alliance;  a  song  by  the  Northeastern 
Singers'  Association,  and  an  address  by  the  German 
ambassador,  Count  J.  H.  von  Bernstorff. 

UNVEILED  BY  MISS  TAFT 

The  statue  was  unveiled  by  Miss  Helen  Taft,  daughter 
of  the  President,  while  the  German  singing  societies, 
accompanied  by  the  Marine  Band,  sang  "The  Star  Span- 
gled Banner,"  and  a  salute  was  fired  by  Battery  E,  of  the 
Third  Field  Artillery. 

The  statue  stands  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Lafayette 
Square,  opposite  the  White  House.  On  the  other  cor- 
ners of  the  square  are  the  statues  of  Lafayette,  Rocham- 
beau,  and  Kosciuszko.  The  statue  is  of  bronze,  surmount- 
ing a  granite  pedestal,  and  is  so  highly  regarded  as  a  work 
of  art  that  Congress  has  provided  for  the  presentation  of 
a  bronze  replica  to  the  German  Emperor  in  partial  recog- 
nition of  his  gift  to  the  United  States  of  a  statue  of  Fred- 
erick the  Great.  The  STEUBEN  Statue  is  the  work  of  Albert 
Jaegers,  of  New  York. 

After  the  introduction  of  the  sculptor,  who  received  an 
ovation,  President  Taft,  who  was  presented  by  Secretary 
Dickinson,  spoke  in  praise  of  VON  STEUBEN. 

Following  the  President's  address,  the  benediction  was 
pronounced  by  Rev.  Dr.  William  T.  Russell,  pastor  of 
St.  Patrick's  Catholic  Church,  and  the  military  and  civic 
parade  then  started.  It  was  reviewed  by  the  President 
and  special  guests. 


Nation's  Tribute  to  von  Steuben     ,  57 

FORMATION  OF  PARADE 

The  formation  of  the  parade  was  as  follows: 

Maj.  Gen.  William  H.  Carter,  of  the  General  Staff,  United  States  Army, 
grand  marshal,  assisted  by  Maj.  Henry  T.  Allen,  Eighth  United  States  Cav- 
alry, and  Capt.  Joseph  P.  Tracy,  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  adjutant  general,  and 
staff. 

First  division:  Col.  Joseph  Garrard,  Fifteenth  Cavalry,  United  States 
Army,  commanding;  band  United  States  Engineers;  first  battalion,  United 
States  Engineers,  Maj.  William  D.  Connor,  Corps  of  Engineers,  commanding; 
band  United  States  Coast  Artillery  Corps;  provisional  regiment,  United  States 
Coast  Artillery  Corps,  Col.  Adam  Slaker,  Coast  Artillery  Corps,  commanding; 
Company  C,  Hospital  Corps,  United  States  Army,  Capt.  William  A.  Wickline, 
Medical  Corps,  commanding;  band  United  States  Navy;  battalion  United 
States  Marines;  battalion  seamen,  United  States  Navy,  Commander  George 
W.  Logan,  United  States  Navy,  commanding  naval  division;  band  Second 
Regiment,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia;  provisional  battalion, 
Second  Regiment,  District  of  Columbia;  provisional  battalion,  Second  Regi- 
ment, National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia,  Lieut.  Col.  Anton  Stephan, 
Second  Regiment,  National  Guard,  District  of  Columbia,  commanding; 
headquarters,  Second  Battalion,  Batteries  D  and  F,  Third  United  States 
Field  Artillery,  Maj.  L.  G.  Berry,  Third  Field  Artillery,  commanding;  band, 
headquarters,  and  three  troops  First  Squadron,  Fifteenth  United  States 
Cavalry,  Maj.  F.  S.  Foltz,  Fifteenth  Cavalry,  commanding. 

Second  division:  Grand  marshal,  Capt.  Charles  T.  Schwegler,  United  States 
Volunteers— Staff :  Chief  of  staff,  Lieut.  J.  H.  Mittendorff,  late  United  States 
Navy;  adjutant  general,  Mr.  Julius  Albrecht,  Washington,  D.  C.;  assistant 
adjutant  general,  Lieut.  Sherman  Miles,  Third  Field  Artillery;  Fred  W. 
Lichti,  Kolte  Post,  No.  32,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  New  York;  Col. 
August  P.  Kunzig,  Second  Pennsylvania  Infantry,  National  Guard;  mounted 
escort  for  the  division,  composed  of  the  officers  and  delegates  of  societies  and 
of  citizens  of  Washington,  D.  C. 

First  subdivision:  Marshal,  Capt.  Wilhelm  Barg,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and 
staff;  band;  detachment  with  flags  and  banners  of  the  subdivision;  veterans 
of  the  STEUBEN  regiment,  Seventh  New  York  Volunteers;  the  National  Asso- 
ciation of  German  Veterans  and  Warrior  Societies  of  North  America. 

Second  subdivision :  Marshal,  Richard  Pluym,  Washington,  D.  C.,  and  staff; 
band ;  detachment  with  banners  and  flags  of  the  subdivision;  the  Northeastern 
Singers'  Association. 

Third  subdivision:  Marshal,  Ernst  F.  Juergensen  and  staff;  band;  detach- 
ment with  flags  and  banners  of  the  subdivision;  associated  Turner  societies  of 
the  States  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  Maryland, 
Virginia,  and  District  of  Columbia. 

Fourth  subdivision:  Marshal,  A.  von  N.  Rosenegk,  Richmond,  and  staff; 
band;  detachment  with  banners  and  flags  of  the  subdivision;  the  Virginia 
and  West  Virginia  State  associations  of  German- American  societies. 


58  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

Fifth  subdivision:  Marshal,  Mr.  Louis  Schmidt,  Philadelphia,  and  staff; 
band;  detachment  with  banners  and  flags  of  the  subdivision;  united  Ger- 
man-American societies  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

Sixth  subdivision:  Marshal,  Fred  Bassler,  Baltimore,  Md.,  and  staff;  band; 
the  independent  German-American  societies  of  Maryland. 

Seventh  subdivision:  Marshal,  Frank  Cordts  and  staff;  band  by  the  Platt- 
deutsche  Volksfest  Verein  of  Brooklyn;  the  banners  of  German- American 
societies  from  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Connecticut,  and  Delaware,  and  other 
States;  banners  and  flags. 

Eighth  subdivision:  Marshal,  Robert  Kammerer,  New  York,  and  staff; 
band;  flags  and  banners  of  the  society;  the  German  Liederkranz,  of  New 
York. 

Ninth  subdivision:  Marshal,  Charles  Gerner,  Washington,  and  staff; 
mounted  escort  in  command  of  Frank  Weigand ;  band;  Butchers' Benevolent 
Association,  No.  i,  of  Washington,  mounted  and  in  uniform,  commanded  by 
Mr.  Chris  Rammling;  flags  and  banners  of  the  subdivision;  the  German- 
American  allied  societies  of  the  District  of  Columbia. 

ABOUT  10,000  MEN  IN  LINE 

It  is  estimated  there  were  between  8,000  and  10,000 
men  in  line.  The  first  division  formed  at  Pennsylvania 
Avenue,  facing  south,  at  Seventh  Street  NW.;  the  sec- 
ond division  formed  in  the  vicinity  of  Sixth  Street  and 
Louisiana  Avenue  NW. 

Upon  forming  at  2  o'clock  the  second  division  pro- 
ceeded along  Pennsylvania  Avenue  until  the  head  of  the 
column  reached  Fourteenth  Street,  when  the  column 
halted,  backed  against  the  north  curbing  of  the  Avenue 
and  faced  outwardly,  that  the  various  visiting  organiza- 
tions might  witness  the  military  and  naval  display  in  the 
first  division  as  it  passed  by. 

The  first  division  started  at  2.15  o'clock  and  marched 
west  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue  to  Madison  Place,  thence 
northward  to  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  thence  westward  to 
Eighteenth  Street,  northward  to  H  Street,  eastward  to 
Seventeenth  Street,  where  the  column  halted. 

After  the  unveiling  the  column  resumed  its  march 
eastward  on  H  Street,  thence  northward  on  Vermont 
Avenue  to  K  Street,  where  it  disbanded,  and  the  separate 
subdivisions  and  organizations  proceeded  to  their  head- 
quarters. 


Nation 's  Tribute  to  von  Steuben  59 

COMMITTEE  ON  SEATING 

The  committee  that  assisted  in  seating  the  guests  at 
the  unveiling  was  composed  as  follows:  Frederick  D. 
Owen,  chairman;  John  E.  Fenwick,  secretary;  William  L. 
Browning,  Sidney  I.  Besselievre,  Myron  Jermain  Jones, 
Proctor  L.  Dougherty,  Lewis  P.  Clephane,  John  H.  Fin- 
ney,  John  G.  Johnson,  Albert  J.  Gore,  F.  W.  Graham, 
Albert  D.  Spangler,  John  Doyle  Carmody,  Dr.  Frank  L. 
Biscoe,  James  Berrall,  Frank  C.  Scofield,  Frederick  C. 
Bryan,  Paul  J.  Pelz,  U.  S.  G.  Dunbar,  H.  S.  McAllister, 
Henry  O.  Hall,  Earl  C.  Marsh,  Dr.  Edwin  A.  Hill,  J.  C. 
Dalphin,  H.  C.  Gauss,  F.  G.  Eiker,  J.  Jerome  Lightfoot, 
Caleb  C.  Magruder,  jr.,  Dr.  Watson  William  Ayers,  Fred- 
erick Hyde,  Dr.  William  D.  Wirt,  John  L.  Wirt,  George 
A.  Howe,  F.  F.  Gillen,  and  Henry  W.  Samson. 

DELEGATIONS  FROM  NEW  YORK 

Among  those  in  attendance  at  the  unveiling  were  the 
Liederkranz  Society  and  the  Concordia  Society,  both  of 
New  York,  the  former  comprising  160  members  and  the 
latter  50  members. 

Both  organizations  have  their  headquarters  at  the 
Riggs  House. 


BANQUET  IN  MEMORY  OF  BARON  VON  STEUBEN 

WASHINGTON  MEMBERS  OF  THE  SOCIETY  OF  THE  CINCINNATI  TO  HONOR 
ONE  OF  FOUNDERS 

In  honor  of  Baron  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  VON  STEUBEN, 
whose  statue  in  Lafayette  Square  was  unveiled  this  after- 
noon, and  who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati,  the  resident  members  of  the  society  have 
selected  to-night  to  give  a  banquet  at  the  Army  and  Navy 
Club.  At  7.30  o'clock  a  distinguished  company,  including 
many  of  the  national  officers  of  the  society,  will  gather 
about  the  banquet  board. 


60  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

Although  the  society  still  keeps  to  its  old  organization 
in  the  thirteen  original  States,  with  State  organizations 
in  each,  there  are  living  in  Washington  about  40  members 
of  the  society,  and  it  is  they  who  are  to  give  the  dinner 
to-night.  This  is  the  second  banquet  which  the  resident 
members  have  given,  and  it  is  believed  that  the  Wash- 
ington banquet  will  become  an  annual  affair. 

Baron  VON  STEUBEN  was  enthusiastic  over  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Order  of  the  Cincinnati  and  did  all  in  his 
power  to  aid  in  forming  the  society.  The  insignia  of 
the  society  was  designed  by  Maj.  1'Enfant,  the  French 
officer  who  made  the  plans  for  the  city  of  Washington. 
Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the  members  of  the  society 
were  so  much  pleased  with  the  design  for  the  insignia  that 
STEUBEN  was  directed  to  write  a  letter  to  Maj.  1'Enfant 
expressing  the  thanks  of  the  society. 

LETTER  TO  L'ENFANT 

This  letter,  signed  by  STEUBEN,  is  at  present  the  prop- 
erty of  Dr.  James  Dudley  Morgan,  of  this  city.  The  let- 
ter, though  brief,  is  couched  in  the  dignified  language  of 
the  eighteenth  century.  It  is  dated  July  i,  1783,  West 
Point,  and  reads  as  follows: 

SIR:  Enclosed  I  have  the  honor  to  present  you  with  an  extract  from 
the  resolutions  of  the  convention  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  of  June  19, 
1783,  by  which  I  am  requested  to  transmit  their  thanks  to  you,  for  your  care 
and  ingenuity  in  preparing  the  designs,  which  were  laid  before  them  by  the 
president  on  that  day. 

I  beg  you  to  believe  that  I  esteem  myself  honored  in  expressing  the  desire 
of  the  convention,  as  it  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  publicly  paying  that 
acknowledgment  to  your  merit  which  is  deserved.  With  the  greatest  esteem, 
I  am,  sir, 

Your  obedient,  humble  servant, 

STEUBEN. 
LIST  OF  THE  GUESTS 

The  guests  at  the  banquet  to-night  will  be  James 
Simons,  vice  president  general;  Asa  Bird  Gardiner,  sec- 
retary general;  John  Collins  Daves,  assistant  secretary 
general;  Charles  Isham,  acting  treasurer  general;  Lewis 


Nation's  Tribute  to  von  Steuben  61 

Dunham  Boggs,  Robert  Taylor  Varnum,  R.  Bruce  Kirk- 
patrick,  Bartlett  S.  Johnston,  Maj.  H.  Ashton  Ramsey, 
W.  Hall  Harris,  Richard  Bradley,  James  W.  Denny, 
Senator  Morgan  Gardner  Bulkeley,  Representative  Wil- 
liam Paine  Sheffield,  Representative  Butler  Ames,  Henry 
Randall  Webb,  Brig.  Gen.  Daingerfield  Parker,  United 
States  Army  (retired) ;  Brig.  Gen.  Green  Clay  Goodloe, 
United  States  Marine  Corps  (retired);  Dr.  William  Hol- 
land Wilmer,  Frederick  McCullough  Moore,  Gen.  Charles 
L.  Fitzhugh,  John  Sidney  Webb,  William  Howe  Somer- 
vell,  Commodore  William  Stetson  Hogg,  United  States 
Navy  (retired) ;  Capt.  Hilary  Pollard  Jones,  United  States 
Navy;  Dr.  Daniel  Kerfoot  Shute,  Maj.  Henry  T.  Allen, 
United  States  Army;  Maj.  Julian  Mayo  Cabell,  M.  D., 
United  States  Army  (retired);  Maj.  Walter  D.  Webb, 
M.  D.,  United  States  Army  (retired);  J.  B.  Baylor, 
James  Malcolm  Henry,  Joshua  Nathaniel  Steed,  R.  B.  B. 
Chew,  jr.;  Commodore  Isaac  Stockton  Keith  Reeves, 
United  States  Navy  (retired) ;  Joseph  Young  Reeves, 
Dr.  George  Tully  Vaughan,  William  Marbury  Beall, 
Brig.  Gen.  Hazard  Stevens,  Walter  G.  Peter,  and  Ben- 
jamin B.  Bradford. 

GUESTS  AT  LUNCHEON 

UNITED  GERMAN  ALLIANCE  COMMITTEE  ENTERTAINED  BY  COMMERCE 
CHAMBER 

The  executive  committee  of  the  United  German 
Alliance,  whose  members  are  in  Washington  for  the 
unveiling  of  the  VON  STEUBEN  Statue  to-day,  were  enter- 
tained at  luncheon  by  the  Washington  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce at  the  New  Ebbitt  House  at  1 1 .30  o  'clock  this 
morning.  The  executive  committee  of  the  alliance  is 
headed  by  Dr.  C.  J.  Hexamer,  of  Philadelphia. 

The  entertainment  committee  of  the  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce who  attended  the  luncheon  consisted  of  A.  Lisner, 


62  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

H.  B.  F.  Macfarland,  William  F.  Gude,  D.  J.  Callahan, 
James  F.  Oyster,  Commissioner  Cuno  H.  Rudolph,  Scott 
C.  Bone,  William  E.  Shannon,  Granville  M.  Hunt,  and 
Thomas  Grant. 


TOASTS  TO  VON  STEUBEN  DRUNK  AT  BANQUET  BOARDS 

[The  Evening  Star.  Washington,  D.  C.,  December  8,  1910] 

Following  the  fatiguing  exercises  of  the  day,  which  was 
devoted  to  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  to  VON  STEUBEN, 
the  visiting  German  societies  and  organizations  gave  over 
the  evening  to  feasting  and  oratory  in  commemoration  of 
the  event.  Last  evening  there  were  four  big  banquets  at 
which  the  great  German  general  was  extolled  and  the 
friendship  of  the  United  States  and  Germany  more  closely 
cemented. 

At  the  New  Willard  half  a  thousand  men  sat  down  to 
the  banquet  of  the  German-American  societies  and  lis- 
tened to  addresses  by  the  German  ambassador,  Count  von 
Bernstorff;  Representative  Richard  Bartholdt,  the  toast 
master  of  the  evening;  Dr.  Charles  J.  Hexamer,  president 
of  the  National  German- American  Alliance;  Commissioner 
Cuno  H.  Rudolph,  and  others.  All  the  addresses  were  de- 
livered in  the  German  language,  except  that  of  Commis- 
sioner Rudolph,  who  extended  the  welcome  of  Washington 
to  the  visitors  and  invited  them  to  come  again. 

At  the  Army  and  Navy  Club  the  resident  members  of 
the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  which  was  founded  after  the 
peace  of  1783,  at  the  quarters  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  on 
the  Hudson,  by  the  American  officers  of  the  Revolution, 
banqueted  and  recalled  the  heroes  of  the  War  for  Inde- 
pendence in  speech  and  story. 

MINUTE  MEN  THEIR  GUESTS 

The  Washington  Kriegerbund,  or  association  of  German 
veterans  who  saw  service  in  the  armies  of  the  United 


Nation's  Tribute  to  von  Steuben  63 

States  as  well  as  those  of  their  native  land,  had  as  its 
guests  of  honor  the  officers  of  the  Minute  Men  of  this  city, 
including  Col.  M.  A.  Winter,  Lieut.  Col.  E.  R.  Campbell, 
Maj.  E.  F.  Paull,  Capt.  Charles  A.  Goldsmith,  and  Capt. 
George  W.  Farris,  who  acted  as  the  guard  of  honor  when 
the  American  Kriegerbund  visited  Germany  last  year  as 
the  guests  of  the  German  Emperor.  An  incident  of  the 
evening  was  the  presentation  of  a  diamond  stud  by  Lieut. 
Col.  Campbell  to  Col.  Richard  Mueller,  commander  in 
chief  of  the  Kriegerbund.  Maj.  von  Herbert,  military  at- 
tache" at  the  German  embassy,  and  Capt.  Retzmann,  the 
naval  attache",  were  present,  and  the  former  made  an  ad- 
dress, closing  with  the  sentiment,  "  By  honoring  the  United 
States  and  being  its  best  citizens,  you  honor  your  native 
land." 

Others  who  spoke  were  Col.  Richard  Mueller,  of  New 
York;  Col.  M.  A.  Whiter,  Col.  Campbell,  Capt.  Siebert,  of 
Baltimore;  Capt.  M.  Milhauser,  of  Albany;  Capt.  W.  Barg, 
of  Philadelphia;  Capt.  Phil  Baumann,  of  New  York;  Capt. 
L.  C.  Lechner,  of  this  city;  and  H.  Junkermann,  of  Omaha, 
Nebr. 

Delegations  from  kriegerbunds,  or  veterans'  societies, 
were  present,  as  follows:  From  New  York,  Philadelphia, 
Baltimore,  Boston,  Pittsburgh,  and  Wheeling,  W.  Va. 

TURNERS  HOLD  A  KOMMERS 

Local  turners  of  the  Columbia  Turnverein  were  hosts  at 
a  great  German  kommers  at  the  National  Rifles'  Armory 
last  evening  to  visiting  turners  and  their  families.  An  im- 
mense throng  filled  the  great  hall  and  enjoyed  the  special 
program  prepared  for  the  occasion.  George  W.  Spier  pre- 
sided at  the  exercises  and  Representative  Bartholdt  deliv- 
ered an  address  extolling  the  German  system  of  physical 
culture  and  recommending  the  turners'  schools  to  parents 
for  their  children.  One  of  the  most  interesting  personali- 
ties present  was  the  mascot  of  the  Twentieth  Turner  Reg- 
iment of  New  York,  Mrs.  Ottelie  Gerth,  who  received  an 


64  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

ovation  when  she  made  an  address  recalling  incidents  of 
the  Civil  War. 

Mrs.  Gerth  has  been  closely  associated  with  the  turner 
regiment  ever  since  the  stirring  days  of  1861,  when  she 
presented  it  with  a  flag  before  its  departure  for  the  front, 
and  afterwards,  through  untiring  efforts,  provided  its  mem- 
bers with  necessary  clothing,  etc. 

Mrs.  Gerth  lives  in  a  historic  house  at  Fort  Lee,  N.  J., 
whose  quaint  beauty  is  practically  unchanged  since  the 
days  when  it  played  an  important  part  in  the  councils  of 
Revolutionary  times.  Mrs.  Gerth  declared  that  every  turn 
hall  is  an  altar  of  morality  and  patriotism,  health  and 
strength,  and  all  parents  should  send  their  children  there 
for  instruction. 

IS  WARMLY  CONGRATULATED 

At  the  conclusion  of  her  address,  after  the  applause  had 
subsided,  many  of  the  audience  came  forward  to  shake 
hands  with  Mrs.  Gerth.  She  is  the  mother  of  Frank  Gerth, 
the  New  York  theatrical  manager,  and  will  be  the  guest 
of  Lieut.  W.  H.  Santelmann  Thursday,  before  returning  to 
her  home. 

Others  who  spoke  were  Louis  Hoffmann,  of  the  Vor- 
waerts  Turnverein,  Baltimore;  Theodore  Gwermann,  presi- 
dent of  the  Techniker  Verein,  Baltimore;  Lieut.  J.  H.  Mit- 
tendorf,  late  of  the  United  States  Navy;  Richard  Lieber, 
of  the  North  American  Turnerbund,  and  others. 

The  following  societies  were  represented:  New  York 
Turnverein,  Utica  Turnverein,  Newark  Turnverein,  Wil- 
mington Turnverein,  Philadelphia  Turngemeinde,  Vor- 
waerts  and  Germania  Turnverein  of  Baltimore,  Richmond 
Turnverein,  Lawrence  (Mass.)  Turnverein,  Technischer 
Verein  of  Philadelphia. 

The  committee  in  charge  of  the  kommers  was  C.  Ham- 
mel,  H.  Egolf,  E.  F.  Juergensen,  and  A.  R.  Meisner. 


Nation's  Tribute  to  Don  Steuben  65 

GERMAN  PRESS  COMMENT 

EXPRESS  APPRECIATION  OF  ADDRESSES  AT  VON  STEUBEN  STATUE 
UNVEILING 

BERLIN,  December  8,  1910. — To-day's  papers  feature  the 
addresses  delivered  by  President  Taft,  Count  von  Bernstorff , 
the  German  ambassador  at  Washington,  and  Representa- 
tive Bartholdt,  of  Missouri,  on  the  occasion  of  the  unveiling 
at  Washington  yesterday  of  the  statue  of  Baron  FREDER- 
ICK WILLIAM  VON  STEUBEN. 

The  entire  press  comments  with  great  satisfaction  upon 
the  kind  things  said  by  the  speakers  of  Germans  and  Em- 
peror William. 

84647°— 14 5 


PRESENTATION 
OF  THE  REPLICA 


POTSDAM,  GERMANY 
SEPTEMBER    2,    1911 


PRESENTATION  OF  THE  REPLICA  OF  THE 

STEUBEN  STATUE  TO  HIS  MAJESTY 

THE  GERMAN  EMPEROR 

Extension  of  the  Remarks  of  Hon.  James  R.  Mann,  of  Illinois,  in  the  House 
of  Representatives,  Monday,  August  5,  1912 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  Under  leave  to  print  recently  granted  I 
beg  to  insert  in  the  Record  an  authentic  account  of  the 
presentation  of  a  replica  of  the  STEUBEN  Monument  to 
Emperor  William  and  of  the  unveiling  ceremonies  at 
Berlin  on  September  2,  1911.  The  account  is  as  follows: 

On  December  21,  1909,  Representative  Richard  Bar- 
tholdt,  of  Missouri,  the  author  of  the  legislation  which 
resulted  in  the  erection  of  the  STEUBEN  Monument  in  the 
city  of  Washington,  introduced  the  following  bill  in  the 
House  of  Representatives: 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  the  expenditure  of  the  sum  of  $5,000,  or  so  much 
thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  authorized  to  be 
made  tinder  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  State  and  the  Joint  Committee 
on  the  Library  for  the  erection  of  a  bronze  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN,  authorized  to  be  erected  in  Washington;  said  replica  to  be  pre- 
sented to  His  Majesty  the  German  Emperor  and  the  German  nation  in  return 
for  the  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great,  presented  by  the  Emperor  to  the  people 
of  the  United  States. 

This  bill,  by  the  approval  of  the  President,  became  a 
law  on  June  23,  1910,  and  in  pursuance  of  its  provisions 
the  Secretary  of  State  and  the  Joint  Committee  on  the 
Library  entered  into  contract  with  Mr.  Albert  Jaegers, 
the  sculptor  of  the  original  STEUBEN  Monument,  for  the 
preparation  of  the  replica  intended  as  a  present  for  the 
German  Emperor  and  the  German  nation.  Inquiries 
directed  to  Berlin  by  the  State  Department  as  to  the 
acceptability  of  such  a  statue  had  been  answered  affirma- 

69 


Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


lively  even  before  the  legislation  was  attempted.  In  the 
spring  of  1911  the  artist  had  completed  his  work,  and 
President  Taft  appointed  the  author  of  the  legislation, 
Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt,  and  Mr.  Charles  B.  Wolffram,  of 
New  York  City,  as  "envoys  extraordinary  and  plenipo- 
tentiary" to  make  the  formal  presentation  to  the  German 
Emperor  at  Berlin. 

The  departure  of  Mr.  Bartholdt  on  his  diplomatic  mis- 
sion was  made  the  occasion  of  a  thoughtful  little  cere- 
mony on  board  of  the  steamer  George  Washington,  of  the 
North  German  Lloyd.  On  the  afternoon  before  sailing  — 
August  1  8,  1911  —  the  New  York  Daughters  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution  tendered  him  a  farewell  reception  in  the 
large  and  beautifully  decorated  dining  room  of  the 
steamer.  Mrs.  Joseph  Simeon  Wood,  the  State  regent 
of  that  organization,  presided,  and,  after  the  hymn 
"America"  had  been  sung,  rose  to  say  that  no  more  fit- 
ting present  could  be  offered  to  Germany  by  the  United 
States  than  a  statue  of  the  great  soldier  and  patriot,  Gen. 
STEUBEN.  In  expressing  his  gratitude  for  the  courtesy  of 
the  patriotic  ladies,  Mr.  Bartholdt  extolled  STEUBEN'S 
virtues  as  a  citizen  and  soldier  and  briefly  recounted  the 
valuable  services  he  had  rendered  his  adopted  country. 
He  also  referred  to  his  mission  as  one  of  amity  and  peace, 
and  rejoiced  in  the  fact  that,  in  accordance  with  the  sin- 
cere desire  of  President  Taft  and  Kaiser  William,  it  would 
tend  to  strengthen  the  ties  of  friendship  which  had  always 
united  the  two  greatest  civilizatory  powers  of  modern 
times,  America  and  Germany.  Speeches  were  also  made 
by  Mrs.  William  Gumming  Story,  the  former  State  regent; 
Mrs.  Frances  Roberts,  of  Utica,  who  called  attention  to 
the  neglected  condition  of  STEUBEN'S  grave  and  promised 
to  enlist  the  support  of  the  women  of  the  Mohawk  Valley 
for  the  work  of  properly  restoring  it;  Mr.  Edward  O. 
Town;  Dr.  Ernst  Richard;  and  Capt.  Charles  Polack,  of 
the  George  Washington,  who  had  complaisantly  consented 
to  be  the  host  of  the  occasion. 


Presentation  of  the  Replica 


This  patriotic  American  celebration  was  followed  the 
next  morning  by  a  serenade  tendered  by  the  Allied 
German  Singers  of  New  York,  who  sang  American  airs 
and  songs  of  the  fatherland  up  to  the  minute  the  big 
steamer  left  the  Hoboken  pier. 

By  direction  of  the  Emperor,  the  German  Government 
had  selected  Potsdam,  the  historic  suburb  of  Berlin,  as 
the  site  for  the  STEUBEN  Monument  and  the  26.  of  Sep- 
tember as  the  day  for  the  ceremony  of  unveiling,  both 
selections  being  highly  significant  of  the  importance  which 
the  Kaiser  attached  to  the  American  gift.  Admittedly, 
no  more  prominent  place  could  have  been  chosen  than  the 
ancient  home  of  Prussia's  kings,  and  the  26.  of  September 
is  even  to-day  a  holiday  in  Germany,  as  it  is  the  anni- 
versary of  Napoleon's  surrender  at  Sedan.  What  Ver- 
sailles is  to  Paris,  Potsdam  is  to  Berlin.  Both  great  capi- 
tals are  closely  allied  with  those  suburbs  by  historic 
memories,  and  neither  the  history  of  France  nor  that  of 
the  German  Empire,  especially  of  Prussia,  would  be  com- 
plete without  a  proper  appreciation  of  those  imperial 
places  of  residence.  Besides,  both  are  equally  renowned 
because  of  their  castles,  monuments,  and  beautiful  parks. 
It  was  at  Potsdam  where,  in  times  of  peace,  Prussia's 
ingenious  King,  Frederick  the  Great,  delighted  to  rest, 
and  where  he  built  Sans  Souci  as  his  Tusculum,  and  here, 
in  front  of  the  old  castle,  a  historical  structure  alive  with 
memories  of  the  great  King,  is  the  spot  thoughtfully 
chosen  for  America's  friendly  gift.  How  eminently  fit- 
ting this  site  is  will  be  better  understood  when  we  re- 
member that  Gen.  STEUBEN,  during  the  Seven  Years' 
War,  had  been  an  officer  in  the  army  of  Frederick  the 
Great,  and  that  the  same  King,  of  whom  one  is  reminded 
at  every  step  at  Potsdam,  had  been  his  protector  and 
friend. 

The  most  distinguishing  feature  of  the  ceremonies 
connected  with  the  presentation  and  the  unveiling  of  the 
STEUBEN  Monument  at  Potsdam  was  the  personal  interest 


72  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

which  the  Kaiser  evinced  in  them  and  which  was  apparent 
in  every  detail.  Not  only  the  Emperor  himself,  but 
almost  the  whole  imperial  family,  graced  the  occasion 
with  their  presence,  and  nothing  was  left  undone  to  empha- 
size the  international  importance  of  the  event  and  to  confer 
honorable  distinction  upon  the  two  special  envoys  whom 
the  United  States  had  sent  on  so  friendly  a  mission  to  the 
great  German  Empire.  The  Elite  Body  Company  of  the 
Guard  Regiment  marched  up  as  a  guard  of  honor,  with 
Prince  Joachim  as  flag  officer,  and  the  direct  superiors, 
including  the  Crown  Prince  and  General  in  Command  von 
Loewenfeld.  The  Empress,  too,  witnessed  the  ceremony, 
viewing  it  from  the  windows  of  the  old  castle.  In  the 
suite  of  the  Emperor  were  Princes  August  Wilhelm  and 
Oskar;  Imperial  Chancellor  von  Bethmann-Holweg ;  Sec- 
retary of  State  von  Kiderlin-Waechter ;  Secretary  of  War 
Heeringen;  Chief  of  the  General  Staff  von  Moltke;  Lieut. 
Gen.  von  Steuben  and  other  members  of  the  Steuben 
family,  all  German  relatives  of  the  hero  of  the  occasion; 
the  gentlemen  of  the  Imperial  headquarters;  the  officers' 
corps  of  Potsdam  and  the  cadets  of  Potsdam  and  Lich- 
terfelde;  the  administrative  president  for  Potsdam,  Count 
von  der  Schulenburg;  and  finally  the  mayor  and  the  police 
president  of  Potsdam.  Among  the  Americans  present, 
outside  of  the  two  special  envoys,  were  Mrs.  Bartholdt 
and  Mrs.  Wolffram;  the  American  ambassador,  Dr.  David 
Jayne  Hill;  the  sculptor  of  the  statue,  Albert  Jaegers,  of 
New  York;  the  members  of  the  American  Embassy  at 
Berlin,  including  the  military  and  naval  attache's  and 
four  officers  of  the  American  Army,  who  at  the  time  were 
the  special  guests  of  the  Kaiser,  having  been  sent  to 
attend  the  German  Army  maneuvers;  President  Wolff, 
of  the  American  Chamber  of  Commerce  at  Berlin;  Col. 
Otto  Stifel,  of  St.  Louis;  Dr.  William  C.  Teichmann,  the 
American  consul  at  Stettin;  and  several  other  American 
citizens,  all  of  whom  had  been  specially  invited  by  the 
Secretary  of  State.  A  part  of  the  garrison  and  several 
thousand  residents  of  the  city  also  witnessed  the  ceremony. 


Hon.  Charles  B.  Wolff  r 
of  New  York  City. 


Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt, 
of  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


THE  AMERICAN   ENVOYS  WHO   PRESENTED  THE  STEUBEN    REPLICA  TO 
THE  GERMAN   EMPEROR  ON    BEHALF  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


Presentation  of  the  Replica  73 

The  distinguished  assemblage,  half  civil  and  half  mili- 
tary, which  had  gathered  in  front  of  the  veiled  monument, 
presented  quite  an  animated  spectacle,  whose  effect  was 
heightened  by  the  bright  sunshine  of  a  warm  September 
day.  At  12  o'clock  His  Majesty  the  Emperor  appeared, 
and  after  he  had  passed  muster  along  the  line  of  the  guard 
of  honor  he  took  his  stand  in  front  of  it  and  directly  oppo- 
site the  monument.  The  two  special  envoys  of  President 
Taft  then  stepped  forward,  and  Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt, 
in  addressing  the  Emperor  and  speaking  in  German,  deliv- 
ered the  formal  presentation  speech  in  a  distinct  and  far- 
reaching  voice.  The  fact  that  he  used  the  German  lan- 
guage was  intended  and  recognized  as  a  special  courtesy 
to  the  Fatherland  in  return  for  the  same  courtesy  shown 
to  the  American  Nation  when  the  German  ambassador 
at  Washington,  in  presenting  the  statue  of  Frederick 
the  Great  as  the  Kaiser's  gift  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  delivered  his  address  in  English.  Mr. 
Bartholdt  spoke  as  follows: 

Your  Majesty,  by  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  we  have 
come  across  the  ocean  to  fulfill  the  purport  of  a  resolution,  unanimously 
adopted  by  the  American  Congress,  providing  for  the  presentation  to  His 
Majesty  the  German  Emperor  and  the  German  people  of  a  statue  of  Gen. 
VON  STEUBEN,  a  great  German  and  erstwhile  citizen  and  hero  of  two  conti- 
nents, as  a  gift  from  the  American  people.  If,  in  the  performance  of  this 
honorable  mission,  I  may  be  permitted  to  interpret  the  sentiments  of  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  I  would  say,  on  behalf  of  President  Taft's 
special  embassy,  that  the  proffered  donation  is  to  be  a  pledge  of  peace  and 
amity  and  a  guaranty  of  the  sincerity  of  the  earnest  hope,  cherished  by  all 
Americans,  that  the  effect  of  this  ceremony  may  be  to  draw  more  and  more 
closely  the  bonds  of  traditional  friendship  and  good  will  which,  strength- 
ened as  they  are  by  the  ties  of  blood,  have  always  so  happily  united  the 
great  German  Empire  with  the  great  Republic  of  the  West,  the  United 
States  of  America. 

The  name  of  STEUBEN  will  ever  awaken  patriotic  memories  beyond  the 
ocean.  Its  bearer  was  the  embodiment  of  German  order  and  discipline 
and  of  that  loyalty  of  which  the  poet  says,  "If  it  were  not  as  old  as  the 
world,  surely  a  German  would  have  invented  it."  He  was  not  only  the 
order-creating  genius  of  the  Colonial  Army,  but  also  the  indefatigable, 
though  modest,  organizer  of  victories.  In  just  appreciation  of  his  great 
achievements  a  grateful  people,  nobly  disregarding  national  distinctions, 
honored  his  memory  by  the  erection  in  front  of  the  White  House  in  Wash- 
ington of  a  monument  which  is  to  commemorate  his  valuable  services,  as 


74  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

well  as  those  rendered  by  the  Germans  generally  to  the  cause  of  American 
independence.  And  to-day's  celebration?  It  is  verily  a  beautiful  act  of 
international  courtesy,  but  may  we  not  also  interpret  the  ready  acceptance 
of  this  statue  as  a  just  and  generous  willingness  on  the  part  of  STEUBEN 's 
old  fatherland  and  its  exalted  sovereign  to  appreciate  and  honor  those 
who  by  their  conduct  abroad  have  added  luster  to  the  German  name? 
Millions  of  hearts  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  which  throb  warmly 
on  account  of  this  dedication,  will  rejoice  exultantly  at  such  interpretation. 

From  the  material  to  the  political  and  ideal  significance  of  to-day's  act 
is  but  a  step.  The  peace  President  extends  to  the  peace  Kaiser,  under 
whose  reign  the  phrase  "The  Empire  is  the  peace"  has  been  verified,  the 
hand  of  friendship  for  hearty  cooperation  in  the  peaceful  solution  of  the 
great  problems  of  civilization.  And  are  there  two  other  nations  which, 
resting  upon  the  tradition  of  undisturbed  friendship  and  looking  forward 
to  a  future  of  still  closer  relations,  could  more  justly  feel  called  upon  to 
make  common  cause  in  the  great  humanizing  tasks  of  our  time,  in  the  pro- 
motion of  art  and  science,  and  in  all  tendencies  looking  to  the  increased 
welfare  of  the  people?  We  live  in  a  time  of  international  conciliation  and 
have  come  to  realize  that  peaceful  development  is  of  more  transcendent 
importance  than  all  that  is  now  dividing  the  nations;  and  Germany's  40 
years  of  peace  is  an  ample  guaranty  to  America  that  it  requires  but  an 
incentive  in  order  to  crystallize  mutual  sympathy  into  a  political  fact. 
May  this  beautiful  ceremony  hasten  such  a  happy  consummation. 

As  special  envoys  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  we  have  the 
distinguished  honor  of  asking  Your  Majesty  to  accept  this  statue  as  a  token 
of  the  sincere  friendship  of  the  American  Government  and  people  for 
Your  Majesty  and  the  people  of  Germany. 

The  Emperor,  who  seemed  greatly  pleased  with  the  ad- 
dress, saluted  the  speaker,  and,  taking  from  the  hands  of  an 
adjutant  a  roll  of  paper,  read  the  following  response: 

With  sincere  gratitude  I  accept  the  monument  which,  by  direction  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States  of  America  and  in  pursuance  of  a 
gracious  act  of  Congress,  you  are  presenting  to  me  and  the  German  people 
as  a  gift  from  the  American  people.  When  a  few  months  ago  the  STEUBEN 
Monument  was  unveiled  at  Washington  the  celebration  was  followed  with 
great  interest  everywhere  in  Germany,  and  it  was  noted  with  lively  satis- 
faction how  elevating  and  impressive  it  was  and  how  active  was  the  par- 
ticipation in  it  on  the  part  of  the  Government  and  the  people.  Now  we 
rejoice  to  have  on  German  soil,  too,  a  statue,  dedicated  by  America,  of 
that  brave  German  who,  with  enthusiastic  devotion  and  sublimely  sim- 
ple performance  of  duty,  consecrated  his  services  to  the  cause  of  the 
American  people. 

The  words  with  which  you  gave  eloquent  expression  to  the  significance 
of  the  monument  and  of  this  celebration  find  a  ready  response  in  the 
German  Empire.  You  have  justly  referred  to  the  blood  relationship  and 
the  uninterrupted  friendship  which  unite  and  always  shall  more  closely 


Presentation  of  the  Replica  75 


unite  the  German  and  American  Nations.  I  beg  you  to  accept  my  grati- 
tude and  that  of  the  German  people  for  coming  here  and  presenting  to  us 
this  beautiful  monument,  and  let  me  venture  the  expectation  that  you 
will  kindly  convey  these  our  sentiments  to  the  President  and  the  people 
of  the  United  States. 

The  Kaiser  looked  exceedingly  well  and  spoke  with  a 
strong  voice.  With  his  last  words  he  gave  the  signal  for 
the  unveiling,  and  with  the  accompaniment  of  an  inspir- 
ing military  march  the  cover  fell,  the  Kaiser  standing  in 
front  of  the  monument  and  saluting  with  his  hand  raised 
to  the  helmet.  For  a  few  minutes  he  seemed  to  inspect 
the  piece  of  art  before  him  with  the  critical  look  of  a  con- 
noisseur. He  then  turned  to  greet  Lieut.  Gen.  von 
Steuben,  a  direct  descendant  of  the  "hero  of  two  worlds," 
and  Ambassador  Hill,  who  in  turn  introduced  the  two 
American  envoys,  Messrs.  Bartholdt  and  Wolffram.  The 
Kaiser  shook  hands  with  them  in  the  most  cordial  man- 
ner and  engaged  them  in  a  lengthy  conversation,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  again  expressed  his  appreciation  of 
the  American  gift.  When  Mr.  Bartholdt  asked  whether 
an  introduction  to  His  Majesty  of  the  sculptor  who  had 
created  the  original  monument  as  well  as  the  replica 
would  be  agreeable,  the  Kaiser  willingly  assented,  where- 
upon Mr.  Albert  Jaegers  stepped  forward  and  was  warmly 
greeted  as  well  as  complimented  by  the  Sovereign,  who  had 
previously  conferred  upon  him  the  fourth-class  Order  of 
the  Red  Eagle  as  an  evidence  of  his  appreciation  of  the 
monument  as  to  its  artistic  merits.  The  march  past  the 
statue  of  the  guard  of  honor  in  parade  step  concluded 
the  ceremony,  which  marked  a  most  pleasant  and  mem- 
orable event  in  the  diplomatic  history  of  the  two  great 
countries  concerned.  Let  us  hope  that  Americans  visit- 
ing Germany  will  not  neglect  to  view  the  delightful  spot 
where  our  great  Republic,  in  language  of  bronze,  pro- 
claims to  the  people  of  his  own  fatherland  its  lasting  grati- 
tude for  STEUBEN'S  great  services. 

At  i  o'clock  a  midday  dinner  was  served  in  the  marble 
hall  of  the  royal  castle  which  His  Majesty  had  graciously 


7  6  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

arranged  in  honor  of  the  occasion  and  of  the  American 
envoys,  Messrs.  Bartholdt  and  Wolnram.  To  the  right 
of  the  Emperor  sat  Mr.  Richard  Bartholdt,  the  Imperial 
Chancellor,  and  the  secretary  of  the  American  Legation, 
Mr.  Laughlin;  to  his  left  Mr.  Charles  B.  Wolfram,  the 
Secretary  of  State  von  Kiderlin-Waechter,  and  Maj.  Gen. 
Wotherspoon,  of  the  American  Army.  Opposite  the 
Kaiser  were  seated  the  crown  prince  and  the  other  royal 
princes,  Ambassador  Hill,  and  Gen.  Garlington,  of  the 
American  Army.  Altogether  the  distinguished  guests 
numbered  between  70  and  80.  A  vivacious  and  uncon- 
strained conversation  between  the  imperial  host  and  his 
American  guests  was  one  of  the  delightful  features  of  the 
feast,  which  lasted  nearly  an  hour.  In  the  course  of  it 
the  Emperor  rose  and  asked  those  present  to  raise  their 
glasses  and  drink  the  health  of  the  American  people  and 
President  Taft.  Indeed,  he  was  in  the  best  of  humor 
and  showed  by  his  words  and  actions  that  the  signifi- 
cance and  success  of  the  celebration  afforded  him  genu- 
ine satisfaction.  All  his  references  to  the  United  States 
in  his  conversation  with  the  American  representatives 
were  made  in  the  spirit  of  a  warm  personal  interest  and 
admiration. 

During  the  dinner  he  sent  the  following  telegram  to 
President  Taft: 

The  STEUBEN  Monument  has  been  unveiled.  In  my  name  and  that  of 
the  German  people  I  thank  you  most  heartily  for  the  beautiful  gift  which 
is  so  gratifying  an  evidence  of  the  friendship  between  the  German  and 
American  nations. 

President  Taft  responded  as  follows: 

I  sincerely  appreciate  your  cordial  message  which  advised  me  of  the  un- 
veiling of  the  STEUBEN  replica  and  conveyed  your  gratitude  and  that  of  the 
German  people  for  the  gift.  It  will  give  me  great  pleasure  to  communicate 
Your  Majesty's  message  to  Congress,  at  the  opening  of  its  session  in  Decem- 
ber, as  an  evidence  of  the  cordial  relations  which  have  always  existed  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  the  German  Empire. 

With  the  Kaiser  dinner  the  official  part  of  the  ceremo- 
nies was  concluded.  It  was  followed  by  a  luncheon  given 


Presentation  of  the  Replica  77 

by  Secretary  of  State  von  Kiderlin-Waechter,  at  which 
the  two  American  envoys  and  Ambassador  Hill  were  the 
guests  of  honor.  Mr.  Bartholdt  sat  to  the  right  and  Mr. 
Wolffram  to  the  left  of  the  host,  and  Dr.  Hill  was  seated 
opposite  him.  It  was  at  the  same  time  a  farewell  to  the 
latter,  as  he  had  resigned  his  post  and  was  about  to  return 
to  the  United  States.  The  secretary  of  state  took  occasion 
to  express  his  deep  regret  at  Dr.  Hill's  departure  from  Ber- 
lin, and  the  Emperor  himself  had  previously  expressed  a 
like  sentiment.  It  seems  the  distinguished  statesman  and 
diplomatist  who  represented  us  in  the  German  capital  had 
succeeded  in  a  comparatively  short  time  in  making  himself 
"persona  gratissima"  at  the  Berlin  court.  Mr.  von  Kiderlin- 
Waechter  proved  himself  a  charming  host,  and  as  at  that 
particular  time  he  was  conducting  the  negotiations  with 
France  about  Morocco  the  guests  were  treated  to  many 
an  interesting  observation  touching  that  serious  contro- 
versy. The  German  secretary  of  state  is  plain  and  unas- 
suming in  speech  and  manners,  but  unquestionably  one  of 
the  most  interesting  men  in  international  public  life  to-day. 
The  account  of  the  STEUBEN  days  in  Berlin  would  not  be 
complete  without  a  mention  of  a  delightful  private  dinner 
given  by  Mr.  Charles  B.  Wolffram  in  honor  of  his  colleague, 
Mr.  Bartholdt,  at  the  Hotel  Adlon.  It  was  on  the  evening 
of  the  dedication,  when  all  were  still  in  an  animated  mood. 
What  kitchen  and  cellar  of  that  renowned  hostelry  could 
provide  was  at  the  disposal  of  the  22  guests,  all  Americans, 
and  when  the  host,  Mr.  Wolffram,  rose  to  propose  the 
health  of  President  Taft  there  was  that  enthusiastic  re- 
sponse which  is  possible  only  when  Americans  meet  on  for- 
eign soil  and  are  reminded  of  their  beloved  country.  Among 
the  guests  on  this  occasion  were,  besides  those  already 
mentioned,  Mrs.  Bartholdt,  Mrs.  Wolffram  and  daughters, 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hill,  Mr.  Laughlin,  secretary  of  the  Ameri- 
can legation,  and  two  undersecretaries,  Consul  and  Mrs. 
W.  C.  Teichmann,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Jaegers,  Col.  Otto 
Stifel,  of  St.  Louis,  Mrs.  C.  Royce  and  her  daughter,  Miss 


78  Statue  of  Baron  Don  Steuben 

Jennie  Thompson  (also  from  St.  Louis),  Fred.  Achenbach, 
of  the  Treasury  Department,  Miss  Campbell,  of  New  York, 
and  others. 

Having  performed  this  honorable  mission,  the  two  spe- 
cial envoys  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  upon  their 
arrival  in  New  York  were  tendered  a  great  ovation  by  sev- 
eral hundred  German-Americans  who  had  arranged  a 
banquet  in  their  honor.  Whatever  tends  to  strengthen 
the  bonds  of  friendship  between  their  adopted  country 
and  the  Fatherland  always  meets  with  .spontaneous  and 
enthusiastic  approval  and  support  on  the  part  of  Ameri- 
can citizens  of  German  birth  and  extraction,  and  the  mis- 
sion of  Messrs.  Bartholdt  and  Wolffram  was  justly  re- 
garded as  a  means  to  that  end.  Hence  the  dinner  proved 
an  exceptional  success  in  every  respect.  President  Taft 
was  lauded  by  the  speakers  for  having  bestowed  the 
honor  of  such  an  important  mission  upon  two  German- 
Americans. 

All  the  most  influential  newspapers  of  Germany  com- 
mented most  favorably  on  the  Potsdam  ceremony  and  its 
significance.  Some  of  those  comments  may  find  space 
here: 

[Norddeutsche  Allgwneine  Z*itung  (semiofficial)] 

The  solemn  ceremonial  at  Potsdam  again  directed  general  attention  to 
the  old  historic  relations  between  Germany  and  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica which  date  back  to  the  days  of  the  war  of  the  Colonies  for  independence. 
We  in  Germany  fully  appreciate  the  special  pride  with  which  our  kinsmen 
who  found  a  second  home  on  the  other  side  of  the  ocean  regard  our  distin- 
guished common  countryman,  and  we  feel  a  high  gratification  at  the  honors 
which  the  whole  American  Nation,  conscious  of  his  great  services  in  the 
darkest  hour  of  its  history,  now  confers  upon  the  leader  and  fellow  citizen 
who  has  come  from  German  stock.  In  the  four  generations  which  have 
passed  since  those  struggles  the  United  States  have  received  a  rich  supply 
of  valuable  forces  through  German  immigration.  On  all  fields  Germans 
have  contributed  to  the  development  of  the  Union  and  its  present  interna- 
tional prestige,  not  the  least  on  the  field  of  intellectual  labor  as  teachers, 
scientists,  and  authors.  Among  the  most  distinguished  living  representa- 
tives of  German  literature  and  interpreters  of  German  culture  in  America 
are  the  two  special  envoys,  Bartholdt  and  Wolffram,  who  are  commissioned 
to  represent  the  American  Nation  at  to-morrow's  celebration. 


Presentation  of  the  Replica  79 

[Frankfurter  Zeitung] 

At  Potsdam  to-day  the  German  Emperor  was  presented  with  a  monu- 
ment of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  by  two  emissaries  from  the  United  States. 
That  it  occurred  on  September  2  is  probably  an  accident,  yet  it  may  be 
regarded  as  a  good  omen  that  the  anniversary  of  the  greatest  victory  which 
German  arms  ever  achieved  should  be  commemorated  with  such  a  peace- 
ful celebration,  a  celebration  of  the  manifold  close  relations  and  of  the 
friendly  feeling  existing  between  the  two  great  nations.  And,  by  the  way, 
the  historic  period  to  which  the  new  monument  in  Potsdam  carries  back 
our  thoughts  is  a  time  of  common  memories  also  for  the  two  peoples  which 
met  on  the  battle  field  41  years  ago.  France  and  Prussia  are  the  two  coun- 
tries which,  more  than  any  others,  showed  recognition  and  friendship  to 
the  American  Colonies  fighting  for  their  liberty,  and  the  two  first  military 
names  which  are  prominent  in  the  history  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  next 
to  that  of  the  great  George  Washington,  are  those  of  a  Frenchman  and  a 
German,  Marquis  Lafayette,  and  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN.  For  a  long  time 
American  history  has  failed  to  sufficiently  appreciate  the  services  and  the  im- 
portance of  STEUBEN.  This  was  not  due  to  ill  will  either  against  the  person  or 
his  nationality,  but  to  the  somewhat  naive  overrating  of  a  few  spectacular 
military  actions,  which,  however,  were  much  less  apt  to  bring  final  vic- 
tory than  the  quiet  work  of  organization  which  STEUBEN  performed  for 
Washington's  armies.  During  the  last  few  years  the  more  serious  histo- 
rians of  the  New  World,  perhaps  as  a  result  of  German- American  protests, 
have  endeavored  to  atone  for  previous  neglect  in  this  direction. 

This  change  in  favor  of  a  better  appreciation  through  increased  study 
and  understanding  applies  not  only  to  the  memory  of  the  old  general,  but 
the  relations  of  the  two  nations — the  German  and  the  American  people — 
seem  to  undergo  a  similar  evolution.  On  the  other  side  of  the  ocean  the 
opinion  prevailed  for  a  long  time  that  Americans  were  very  unpopular, 
if  not  detested,  in  Germany.  With  us  there  were  at  times  similar  opin- 
ions of  the  sentiments  of  Uncle  Sam  toward  the  German  "Michel."  In 
fact,  however,  real  public  opinion  was  at  no  time  as  hostile,  either  there 
or  here,  as  the  other  side  imagined,  not  even  during  the  Spanish  War  and 
the  years  immediately  following  it  of  semiofficial  strain  between  Wash- 
ington and  Berlin.  With  us  Germans,  the  faculty  to  hate  other  nations 
has  never  been  strong  and  certainly  never  general.  The  tradition  of  over- 
estimation,  admiration,  and  imitation  of  what  is  foreign  has  been  too 
strong  as  an  inheritance  of  long  political  disruption,  and,  apart  from  the 
small  abnormal  group  of  pan-German  cranks,  has  not  entirely  disappeared 
even  to-day.  So  far  as  Americans  were  really  unpopular  with  us,  the  rea- 
sons for  this  feeling  were  not  political,  but  were  to  be  ascribed  to  purely 
human  motives.  There  were  and  are  no  material  differences  of  interest 
between  Germany  and  the  United  States,  and  in  Germany  the  mass  of 
the  people,  as  well  as  the  nonpolitical  influential  circles,  have  always 
been  conscious  of  this  fact.  But  it  would  be  foolish  to  deny  that  there 
were  and,  though  rapidly  disappearing,  there  still  are  strong  human,  or, 
let  us  say,  cultural  differences.  These  differences,  namely,  idealism  and 


8o  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

settled  culture  on  the  one  hand  and  materialism  and  upstart  civilization 
on  the  other,  have  never  existed  to  the  extent  that  one  has  imagined  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  In  the  first  place,  they  were  not  contrasts  be- 
tween Americans  and  Germans,  but  between  the  youthful  growing  popu- 
lation of  the  largest  modern  colonial  country  and  the  historically  grown 
nations  of  the  Old  World.  Upstart  and  self-made  man  are  really  two  sides 
of  the  same  thing,  only  the  European  has  coined  the  word  for  the  dark 
side  and  the  American  for  the  bright  side.  The  old  nations  note  the 
shortcomings  of  the  new  upstart  who  boasts  of  his  feats,  and  by  thus  brag- 
ging makes  himself  doubly  disliked  with  the  grown  people.  So  Ameri- 
cans have  found  little  sympathy  in  most  of  the  old  civilized  countries. 
Germany  has  made  no  exception  in  this  respect,  but  public  sentiment 
here  has  wonderfully  changed  during  the  last  10  years.  We  appreciate 
more  and  more  that  those  human  national  contrasts  have  been  partly  over- 
estimated and  are  partly  disappearing.  The  better  we  learn  to  know  the 
American  the  more  we  can  overlook  appearances  and  the  peculiarities  of 
his  manners,  the  more  we  perceive  the  genuine  idealism,  the  great  moral 
values,  the  splendid  innate  health  which  that  young  Nation  develops  with 
so  nmch  energy  and  understanding.  We  Germans,  who  ourselves  were 
newly  born  as  a  united  and  strong  people  40  years  ago,  realize  more 
and  more  generally  how  much  we  have  in  common  with  the  great  American 
Nation  with  respect  to  economical  development  as  well  as  the  evolution  of 
national  character.  So  far,  then,  as  there  existed  sentimental  contrasts  be- 
tween us  and  the  United  States,  we,  in  the  first  place,  simply  shared 
them  with  other  European  nations;  and,  secondly,  they  were  largely  based 
upon  an  insufficient  knowledge  of  the  American  character. 

These  contrasts  were  looked  upon  quite  differently  on  the  other  side  of  the 
Atlantic  Ocean.  There  temporary  ill  will  toward  Germany  originated  not 
from  human  but  from  political  unpopularity,  but,  in  fact,  from  political  mis- 
conception. Public  opinion  in  the  United  States  has  been  loath  to  give  up  the 
idea  that  the  German  Empire  had  aggressive  intentions,  in  the  main,  within 
the  sphere  of  the  Monroe  doctrine.  Even  to-day  Americans  are  not  quite  free 
from  suspicion,  no  matter  how  often  and  how  sincerely  and  impressively  Ger- 
many may  give  contrary  assurances.  However,  in  the  last  few  years  we  have 
learned  to  know  each  other  better,  and  this  better  knowledge  produced  a  better 
understanding,  which  gradually  dissipated  the  differences  for  which  there  are 
no  serious  and  permanent  causes  on  either  side. 

[Stettiner  Abend  post] 

The  address  which  Congressman  Bartholdt  delivered  in  presenting  the 
STEUBEN  Statue  to  the  Kaiser  gives  expression  to  the  speaker's  admiration  for 
German  ideals  and  is  at  the  same  time  a  demonstration  for  peace,  which  is  the 
more  significant  in  these  turbulent  days.  On  the  part  of  Germany  the  sincere 
wish  has  always  been  uppermost  to  maintain  the  best  possible  relations  with 
the  United  States,  and  especially  has  everything  been  done  under  William  II 
to  strengthen  them  in  every  direction.  The  Kaiser  has  intimated  on  several 
occasions  and  before  all  the  world  that  his  efforts  were  directed  toward  a  better 
mutual  understanding  of  the  two  nations,  and  that  to  his  knowledge  no  think- 


Presentation  of  the  Replica  8 1 

ing  man  on  this  or  the  other  side  of  the  ocean  believed  in  the  possibility  of 
a  disturbance  of  the  harmony  and  the  continuance  of  our  common  interests. 
Both  peoples,  he  said,  were  too  much  dependent  upon  each  other  through 
their  mutual  interests.  The  sovereign  has  also  expressed  the  conviction 
that  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  Germans  who  live  in  the  United  States, 
and  who  in  their  hearts  have  maintained  their  affection  for  the  old  Father- 
land, were  paving  the  way  for  the  undisturbed  development  of  these  mutual 
relations. 

These  sentiments  are  undoubtedly  shared  by  millions  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Atlantic,  but,  alas,  there  are  also  other  millions  there  who  are  more  or  less 
unfriendly  to  Germany.  As  to  this  we  should  not  be  deceived,  even  by  the 
fact  that  within  the  last  few  years  these  unfriendly  views  have  been  less 
emphatic  and  that  the  jingo  press  has  been  more  reserved.  Under  all  cir- 
cumstances it  will  be  well  to  appraise  the  assurances  of  friendship,  how- 
ever sincere  they  may  be  at  the  time,  in  accordance  with  real  conditions 
and  to  take  them  cum  grano  salis. 

The  movement  in  favor  of  international  peace,  which  has  recently  made 
such  great  progress  in  America,  also  finds  an  echo  in  Mr.  Bartholdt's  address. 
We,  too,  fully  appreciate  the  idea,  and  the  German  people  have  often  enough 
demonstrated  how  highly  they  value  the  preservation  of  the  peace.  Never- 
theless there  are  still  many  obstacles  in  the  way  of  a  realization  of  the  idea 
to  secure  lasting  international  peace,  and  the  fate  of  the  American  arbi- 
tration treaties  shows  that  the  perception  of  this  question  is  not  wholly 
clear  even  in  the  United  States.  Germany  will,  as  far  as  she  can,  fur- 
ther the  initiative  of  President  Taft  in  every  way,  and  is  willing  to 
negotiate  an  arbitration  treaty  with  America,  but  the  value  of  such 
treaties  it  seems  is  being  somewhat  overestimated  at  Washington.  In 
any  event,  we  shall  rejoice  if  the  good  relations  which  already  unite  us 
with  official  America  can  be  further  strengthened  and,  in  the  interest 
of  peaceful  progress,  recorded  black  on  white;  and  it  affords  us  great  satis- 
faction that  the  assurances  of  friendship  and  peace  are  given  us  at  a 
time  when  the  political  horizon  is  full  of  threatening  clouds. 
84647°-l4 e 


PROCEEDINGS 
IN  CONGRESS 


RELATING    TO 
BARON  STEUBEN 


CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS 

[Extracts  from  the  Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress] 
TUESDAY,  JANUARY  13,  1778 

A  letter  *  *  *  *  of  the  6th  December,  from  Baron 
DE  STEUBEN,1  at  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  with  sundry 
letters,  recommending  him  to  Congress;  *  *  *  were 
read. 

NOTE. — STEUBEN 's  letter,  which  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress 
No.  19,  V,  folio  547,  reads  as  follows: 

"PORTSMOUTH,  December  6,  1777. 

"Honorable  Gentlemen: 

"The  honor  of  serving  a  respectable  Nation,  engaged  in  the  noble  enterprize 
of  defending  its  rights  and  Liberty,  is  the  only  motive  that  brought  me  over 
to  this  Continent.  I  ask  neither  riches  nor  titles.  I  am  come  here  from  the 
remotest  end  of  Germany  at  my  own  expence,  and  have  given  up  an  honorable 
and  lucrative  rank;  I  have  made  no  condition  with  your  Deputies  in  France, 
nor  shall  I  make  any  with  you.  My  only  ambition  is  to  serve  you  as  a  Volun- 
teer, to  deserve  the  confidence  of  your  General  in  Chief,  and  to  follow  him  in 
all  his  operations,  as  I  have  done  during  seven  campaigns  with  the  King  of 
Prussia.  Two  and  twenty  years  past  at  such  a  school,  seem  to  give  me  a  right 
of  thinking  myself  in  the  number  of  experienced  Officers;  and  if  I  am  Possessor 
of  some  talents  in  the  Art  of  War,  they  should  be  much  dearer  to  me,  if  I  could 
employ  them  in  the  service  of  a  Republick,  such  as  I  hope  soon  to  see  America. 
I  should  willingly  purchase  at  my  whole  Blood 's  Expence  the  honor  of  seeing 
one  Day  my  Name  after  those  of  the  defenders  of  your  Liberty.  Your  gracious 
acceptance  will  be  sufficient  for  me,  and  I  ask  no  other  favour  than  to  be 
received  among  your  Officers.  I  dare  hope  you  will  agree  [to]  this  my  Request, 
and  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  send  me  your  Orders  to  Boston,  where  I  shall 
expect  them,  and  accordingly  take  convenient  measures. 

"I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  respect,  honorable  gentlemen, 
"Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"STEUBEN." 

1  STBUBEN  was  the  son  of  Major  Wilhehn  Augustin  von  STEUBEN,  a  Prussian  army  officer  and  * 
knight  of  the  Prussian  ordre  pour  le  m^rite.  STEUBEN.  however,  used  the  name  "DE  STEUBEN" 
on  various  occasions  instead  of  his  family  name  "von  Steuben."  In  signing  his  name,  though,  he 
generally  wrote  simply  "STEUBEN."  The  use  of  "de"  instead  of  "von"  by  STEUBEN  was  due. 
perhaps,  to  his  close  association  with  French  officers  both  in  France  and  America  and  to  his  fre- 
quent use  of  their  language,  many  of  his  letters  and  documents  being  written  in  French.  The 
Steuben  Statue  Commission,  after  a  careful  investigation  of  the  matter,  decided  upon  "VON 
STEUBEN"  as  the  correct  name  of  the  Baron.  The  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  however,  records 
STEUBEN'S  name  as  "DB  STEUBEN."  which  appears  in  many  of  its  documents,  some  of  them 
having  been  prepared  by  STEUBBN  himself. 

85 


86  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY  14,  1778 

Whereas  the  Baron  STEUBEN,  a  lieutenant  general  in 
foreign  service,  has,  in  a  most  disinterested  and  heroic 
manner,  offered  his  services  to  these  states  in  the  quality 
of  a  volunteer: 

Resolved,  That  the  president  present  the  thanks  of  Con- 
gress, in  behalf  of  these  United  States,  to  the  Baron  STEUBEN, 
for  the  zeal  he  has  shewn  for  the  cause  of  America,  and  the 
disinterested  tender  he  has  been  pleased  to  make  of  his 
military  talents;  and  inform  him,  that  Congress  cheerfully 
accept  of  his  service  as  a  volunteer  in  the  army  of  these 
states,  and  wish  him  to  repair  to  General  Washington's 
quarters  as  soon  as  convenient.1 

WEDNESDAY,  FEBRUARY  18,  1778 

A  letter,2  of  the  i  yth,  from  the  Board  of  War,  was  read ; 
Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  Mons.  de  Pontiere 3  be  appointed  a  captain 
of  horse  by  brevet,  and  that  Mons.  de  Ponceaux,8  secretary 
to  the  Baron  STEUBEN,  have  the  brevet  rank  of  a  captain  in 
the  army  of  the  United  States:  That  Congress  approve  the 
proceedings  of  the  Board  of  War  with  respect  to  Baron 
STEUBEN. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  20,  1878 

A  letter,  of  9,  from  Baron  STEUBEN    *    *    *  were  read: 
Ordered,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Treasury. 

1  Soon  after  his  arrival  in  the  United  States,  Baron  STRUBKN  proceeded  to  York  Town,  Pa., 
where  the  Continental  Congress  was  in  session.  He  stayed  there  from  February  $  to  19,  1778. 
A  committee  of  Congress  consisting  of  Mr.  Witherspoon,  Mr.  McKean,  Mr.  F.  L.  Lee,  and  Mr. 
Henry  was  appointed  to  confer  with  STBUBBN  about  his  service  in  the  Continental  Army,  and 
they  reported  to  Congress  in  the  following  words,  viz: 

"The  Baron  STEUBEN,  who  was  a  lieutenant  general,  and  aid-de-camp  to  the  king  of  Prussia, 
desires  no  rank,  is  willing  to  attend  General  Washington,  and  be  subject  to  his  orders;  does  not 
require  or  desire  any  command  of  a  particular  corps  or  division,  but  will  serve  occasionally  as 
directed  by  the  general;  expects  to  be  of  use  in  planning  encampments,  etc.,  and  promoting  the 
discipline  of  the  army.  He  heard  before  he  left  France  of  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  Americans 
with  the  promotion  of  foreign  officers,  therefore  makes  no  terms,  nor  will  accept  of  any  thing  but 
with  general  approbation,  and  particularly  that  of  General  Washington." 

The  foregoing  report  was  not  entered  on  the  Journals  of  Congress,  but  is  printed  in  the  Amer- 
ican State  Papers.  Class  IX,  Claims,  p.  13. 

1  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147,  I,  folio  525. 

»  Aids  to  Steuben  who  accompanied  him  from  France  to  the  United  States. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  87 


MONDAY,  MAY  4,  1778 

A  letter  of  the  30  April  from  Gen.  Washington,  was  read: 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three:  the 

members  chosen,  Mr.  R.  H.  Lee,  Mr.  Drayton  and  Mr,  Chase. 

NOTE. — This  letter  from  Washington  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental 
Congress  No.  152,  V,  folio  535.  It  refers  to  STEUBEN 's  position  in  the  Army 
and  reads,  in  part,  as  follows: 

"The  extensive  ill  consequences  arising  from  a  want  of  uniformity  in  dis- 
cipline and  maneuvers  throughout  the  army,  have  long  occasioned  me  to  wish 
for  the  establishment  of  a  well-organized  inspectorship,  and  the  concurrence 
of  Congress  in  the  same  views  has  induced  me  to  set  on  foot  a  temporary  insti- 
tution, which,  from  the  success  that  has  hitherto  attended  it,  gives  me  the 
most  flattering  expectations,  and  will,  I  hope,  obtain  their  approbation. 

"  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  's  length  of  service  in  the  first  military  school  in  Europe , 
and  his  former  rank,  pointed  him  out  as  a  person  peculiarly  qualified  to  be 
at  the  head  of  this  department;  this  appeared  the  least  exceptionable  way  of 
introducing  him  into  the  army,  and  one  that  would  give  him  the  most  ready 
opportunity  of  displaying  his  talents.  I  therefore  proposed  to  him  to  under- 
take the  office  of  Inspector  General,  which  he  agreed  to  with  the  greatest 
cheerfulness,  and  has  performed  the  duties  of  it  with  a  zeal  and  intelligence 
equal  to  our  wishes. 

*  #  *  #  * 

"I  should  do  injustice,  if  I  were  to  be  longer  silent  with  regards  to  the 
merits  of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN.  His  knowledge  of  his  profession,  added 
to  the  zeal  which  he  has  discovered  since  he  began  upon  the  functions  of  his 
office,  lead  me  to  consider  him  as  an  acquisition  to  the  service,  and  to  recom- 
mend him  to  the  attention  of  Congress.  His  expectations  with  regard  to  rank 
extend  to  that  of  Major  General.  His  finances,  he  ingenuously  confesses,  will 
not  admit  of  his  serving  without  the  incident  emoluments,  and  Congress,  I 
presume,  from  his  character  and  their  own  knowledge  of  him,  will,  without 
difficulty,  gratify  him  in  these  particulars. 

"The  Baron  is  sensible  that  our  situation  requires  a  few  variations,  in  the 
duties  of  his  office,  from  the  general  practice  in  Europe,  and  particularly 
that  they  must  necessarily  be  more  comprehensive,  in  which,  as  well  as  in  his 
instructions,  he  has  skillfully  yielded  to  circumstances. 

"The  success  which  has  hitherto  attended  the  plan,  enables  me  to  request, 
with  confidence,  the  ratification  of  Congress,  and  is,  I  think,  a  pledge  of  the 
establishment  of  a  well  combined  general  system,  which  insurmountable 
obstacles  have  hitherto  opposed." 

TUESDAY,  MAY  5,  1778 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  of  30 
April,  from  General  Washington,  brought  in  a  report: 
Whereupon, 


88  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

Resolved,  That  Congress  approve  General  Washington's 
plan  for  the  institution  of  a  well  organized  inspectorship : 

That  the  Baron  STEUBEN  be  appointed  to  the  office  of 
inspector  general,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  major  general; 
his  pay  to  commence  from  the  time  he  joined  the  army  and 
entered  into  the  service  of  the  United  States : 

That  there  be  two  ranks  of  inspectors,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  inspector  general,  the  first  to  superintend  two 
or  more  brigades,  and  the  other  to  be  charged  with  the 
inspection  of  only  one  brigade. 

SATURDAY,  MAY  9,  1778 

The  Marine  Committee,  to  whom  the  letter  from  Baron 
STEUBEN,  recommending  Captain  I^andais  (of  the  French 
navy)  was  referred,  report  *  *  *  Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Landais  be  continued  as  a  captain 
in  the  navy  of  the  United  States. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  20,  1778 

A  letter,1  of  i6th,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  26,  1778 

Resolved,  That  the  quarter  master  general  be  directed  to 
furnish  Baron  STEUBEN  with  two  good  horses  for  his  use. 

TUESDAY,  JUNE  23,  1778 

The  Commissioners  of  claims  at  the  Board  of  Treasury 
report,2 

That  there  is  due  to  Mrs.  E.  Swoope,  for  lodging  &  board- 
ing Baron  STEUBEN,  his  two  aids,  and  two  servants,  13  days, 
104  dollars. 

Ordered,  That  said  account  be  paid. 

SATURDAY,  JULY  11,  1778 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury  brought  in  a  report8; 
Whereupon, 

1  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress.  No.  164,  folio  134. 

2  This  report,  dated  June  22,  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  136,  II.  folio  379. 
8  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  136.  II,  folio  397. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  89 

Ordered,  That  a  warrant  issue  on  John  Gibson,  Esqf,  audi- 
tor general,  for  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  in  favour  of  John 
Hancock,  Esqr,  it  being  the  sum  of  thirteen  hundred  dollars 
advanced  Baron  STEUBEN,  at  Boston,  to  enable  him  to 
prosecute  his  journey  to  confer  with  Congress  at  York  town; 
and  for  two  hundred  dollars,  the  price  of  a  horse  delivered 
to  the  said  Baron,  who  is  to  be  accountable  for  the  sum  of 
1,500  dollars. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  20,  1778 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  from 
General  Washington,  relative  to  Baron  STEUBEN,  brought 
in  a  report : 

The  Committee  to  whom  General  Washington's  letter  relative  to  the  Baron 
STEUBEN,  etc.,  etc.,  was  committed,  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  had  an 
Interview  with  the  Baron,  and  have  examined  and  attended  to  the  proposals 
laid  before  them  by  that  Gentleman,  and  having  fully  considered  the  Nature 
and  Necessity  of  a  well  regulated  Inspectorship  for  the  Army  of  the  United 
States;  do  Recommend  the  following  Resolutions  to  be  adopted  by  Congress; 
but  as  the  well  being  of  the  Army  in  their  opinion  greatly  depends  on  this 
important  Office  being  established  on  the  best  military  Principles,  the  Com- 
mittee recommend  that  the  said  Resolutions  previous  to  their  being  finally 
Passed  by  Congress,  be  sent  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  for  his  perusal  and 
observations  thereon,  and  those  of  any  General  Officer  to  whom  he  may  think 
to  communicate  them. 

Resolved,  That  an  Inspector  General  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States  be 
appointed,  with  the  Rank,  Pay  and  Rations  of  a  Major  General. 

Resolved,  That  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  be  appointed  Inspector  General  of 
the  Armies  of  the  United  States. 

***** 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  General  Washington,  and 
that  he  be  desired  to  consider  the  same,  and  return  it  to 
Congress,  with  his  opinion  and  observations  thereon. 

FRIDAY,  AUGUST  28,  1778 

Resolved,  That  Baron  STEUBEN  be  requested  forthwith,  to 
repair  to  Rhode  Island,  and  give  his  advice  and  assistance  to 
General  Sullivan,  and  the  army  under  his  command. 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  3,  1778 

Congress  took  into  consideration  sundry  reports  from  the 
Board  of  War,  and  thereupon  came  to  the  following  reso- 

lutions : 

WAR  OFFICE,  August  29,  1778. 

Present  Mr.  Peters,  Mr.  Pickering. 

The  Board  having  considered  the  cases  of  Messrs.  Fuhrer  and  Kleinschmit, 
lately  first  lieutenant  in  the  Hessian  corps  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  as  stated  in  the  letter  of  His  Excellency  Gen.  Washington,  referred 
to  this  board  on  the  i8tb  inst.,  having  also  conferred  with  the  Baron  STEUBEN 
on  the  subject,  are  of  opinion 

Resolved,  That  a  new  corps  of  troops  be  raised  by  the 
name  of  the  German  'volunteers,  to  consist  of  such  deserters 
from  the  foreign  troops,  which  have  been  or  shall  be  in  the 
service  of  the  king  of  Great  Britain,  as  shall  be  disposed 
freely  to  inlist  therein.  *  *  *  That  Lieutenants  Fearer 
[Fuhrer]  and  Kleinsmit  [Kleinschmit]  have,  for  the  present, 
the  pay  of  captains  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  etc. 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  11,  1778 

A  letter,1  of  5,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read. 
Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  15,  1778 

A  report  of  the  committee  on  General  Washington's  letter, 
relative  to  Baron  STEUBEN,  which  was  referred  to  General 
Washington,  being  returned,  with  the  General's  observa- 
tions thereon,  the  same  was  read: 

Ordered,  That  the  report  and  observations  be  referred  to 
the  Committee  of  arrangement,  and  that  they  be  directed  to 
prepare  a  plan  of  regulations  for  the  inspectorship,  agreeable 
to  the  said  report  and  observations. 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  25,  1778 

The  Board  of  War,  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  of  the 
Baron  STEUBEN,  relative  to  Mons.  John  Ternant,  having 
reported  thereon,  Congress  took  into  consideration  their 
report;  and  whereupon, 

1  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress.  No.  164.  folio  146. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  91 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  John  Ternant  be  appointed  a  lieu- 
tenant colonel  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  be 
ordered  to  repair  to  South  Carolina  forthwith,  to  perform  the 
duties  of  inspector  to  the  troops  in  the  service  of  these  States 
in  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  etc. 

TUESDAY,  NOVEMBER  24,  1778 

A  letter,1  of  13,  from  General  Washington,  was  read, 
relative  to  the  inspectorship  under  Baron  STEUBEN. 

FRIDAY,  NOVEMBER  27,  1778 

A  letter,2  of  26th,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read: 
Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

TUESDAY,  DECEMBER  1,  1778 

A  letter,8  of  28  November,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read: 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War,  who  are 

directed  to  pay  immediate  and  particular  attention  to  the 

matter  referred  to  in  the  letter,  that  the  same  may  be  carried 

into  effect  without  delay. 

THURSDAY,  FEBRUARY  18,  1779 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  reports 4  of  the  com- 
mittee, appointed  to  confer  with  the  Commander  in  Chief; 
and  thereupon,  agreed  to  the  following 

Plan  for  the  Department  of  Inspector  General: 

Resolved,  That  there  be  an  inspector  general  to  the  armies 
of  the  United  States,  with  the  rank  of  major  general,  who, 
in  all  future  appointments,  shall  be  taken  from  the  line  of 
major  generals: 

That  the  duty  of  the  inspector  general  shall  principally 
consist  in  forming  a  system  of  regulations,  for  the  exercise  of 
the  troops,  in  the  manual  evolutions  and  manoeuvres,  for 

1  The  letter  of  Washington  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  152,  VT,  folio  485. 

*  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  150. 

8  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  154. 

4  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147,  IV,  folio  83. 


92  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

the  service  of  guards  and  detachments,  and  for  camp  and 
garrison  duty: 

That  the  inspector  general,  and  his  assistants,  shall  review 
the  troops  at  such  times  and  places,  and  receive  such  returns 
for  that  purpose,  as  the  Commander  in  Chief,  or  commanding 
officer  in  a  detachment,  shall  direct;  at  which  reviews,  he  or 
they  shall  inspect  the  number  and  condition  of  the  men, 
their  discipline  and  exercise,  the  state  of  their  arms,  accoutre- 
ments, and  cloaths;  observing  what  of  these  articles  have 
been  lost  or  spoiled  since  last  review,  and,  as  nearly  as  pos- 
sible, by  what  means;  reporting  the  same,  with  the  deficien- 
cies and  neglects,  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  or  the  com- 
manding officer  of  a  detachment,  and  to  the  Board  of  War. 

That  all  new  manoeuvres  shall  be  introduced  by  the  in- 
spector general,  and  all  old  ones  performed  according  to  the 
established  principles,  under  his  superintendency :  but  he 
shall  not  introduce  or  practice  any  regulations  relative  to  the 
objects  of  his  department,  save  such  as  are  made  and  estab- 
lished in  the  manner  following:  All  regulations  whatsoever 
to  be  finally  approved  and  established  by  Congress.  But  the 
exigence  of  the  service  requiring  it,  temporary  ones  may, 
from  time  to  time,  be  introduced  by  the  inspector  general 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  Etc 

That  the  inspector  general,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  army,  be  subject  to  the  orders  of  Congress,  the 
Board  of  War,  and  the  Commander  in  Chief  only. 

That  there  be  allowed  to  the  inspector  general,  in  con- 
sideration of  the  extraordinary  expences  which  attend  the 
execution  of  his  office,  84  dollars  per  month,  in  addition  to 
the  pay  and  rations  of  a  major  general,  heretofore  provided. 

WAR  OFFICE,  January  2zd,  1779. 

The  Board  having  frequently  conversed  with  the  Baron  STEUBEN  are  clearly 
convinced,  not  only  from  the  little  value  of  our  money  and  the  extraordinary 
expences  to  which  he  is  liable ,  but  from  his  positive  assurances  that  he  has  been 
obliged  to  draw  a  very  large  sum  from  his  estate  in  Europe,  which,  altho, 
sufficient  for  his  moderate  support  there,  will  not  afford  a  diminution  of  the 
capital.  He  has,  however,  been  obliged  to  draw  such  an  amount  as  to  decrease 
his  capital,  and  from  all  circumstances  there  appears  a  probability  of  losing 


Proceedings  in  Congress  93 

this  valuable  Officer  unless  some  allowance  is  made  him  sufficient  for  his 
support. 

He  appears  to  be  frugal  and  moderate  in  his  expences,  and  by  no  means  of  an 
extravagant  turn.  He  desires  either  to  have  his  expences  borne,  of  which  he 
will  render  an  account,  and  in  that  case  he  will  throw  in  his  pay;  or  that  Con- 
gress will  be  pleased  to  ascertain  the  sum  they  will  allow  him  for  his  support. 
He  also  seems  to  expect  some  indemnification  for  the  expences  of  his  voyage 
and  other  extra  expences.  As  he  is  a  foreigner  of  estimation  in  Europe ,  it  can- 
not be  expected  that  he  will  make  those  pecuniary  sacrifices  American  Officers 
submit  to,  and  more  especially  as  he  has  inducements  to  return  to  Europe, 
where  from  his  character  and  connexions  he  will  not  be  at  a  loss  for  employ- 
ment. The  Board  therefore  thought  it  their  duty  to  represent  this  matter  to 
Congress,  and  as  his  case  may  be  properly  considered  as  an  exception,  any 
thing  done  fon  him  need  not  be  expected  by  future  Inspector  Generals.  The 
Board  therefore  with  submission,  propose  that  the  pay  of  the  Department  shall 
be  fixed  without  reference  to  the  Baron,  and  that  in  consideration  of  his  ex- 
pence  and  other  services  he  has  rendered  it  be  resolved, 

That  the  Baron  STEUBEN  (besides  the  pay  established  for  that  Office  by  Con- 
gress) be  allowed  the  sum  of  84  dollars  pr  Month  while  in  the  service,  as  In- 
spector General  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  and  that  the  sum  of  4000  dol- 
lars be  paid  him,  he  to  be  accountable.1 

FRIDAY,  MARCH  19,  1779 

A  letter z  of  27  February,  from  Baron  STEUBEN  was  read. 

MONDAY,  MARCH  29,  1779 

A  letter,  of  25,  from  Baron  STEUBEN  was  read,  accom- 
panied with  a  system  of  regulations  for  the  infantry  of 
the  United  States;  also,  a  letter  from  the  Board  of  War,  rep- 
resenting that  Baron  STEUBEN,  inspector  general,  has  formed 
a  system  of  exercise  and  discipline  for  the  infantry  of  the 
United  States;  that  the  same  has  been  submitted  to  the 
inspection  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  and  his  remarks 
thereon  and  amendments  incorporated  in  the  work;  that  it 
has  been  examined  with  attention  by  the  Board,  and  is  highly 
approved,  as  being  calculated  to  produce  important  advan- 

1  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147,  III,  folio  197.    It  bears  an 
indorsement  in  the  writing  of  Charles  Thomson: 

"In  Congress,  April  12,  1779. 

"  Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  letter  of  22  January  and  2  April,  1779,  relative  to  an 
allowance  to  be  made  to  Baron  STEUBEN  for  his  expences,  and  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fleury  and 
others,  for  extra  services  in  assisting  the  Baron  in  formulating  regulations  for  the  order  and  disci- 
pline of  the  army.  After  debate.  Ordered.  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Treasury." 

2  STEUBEN 's  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  169. 


94  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

tages  to  the  states;  and  therefore  praying  "that  it  may 
receive  the  sanction  of  Congress,  and  be  committed  to  the 
press:"1  Whereupon, 

Congress  passed  the  following  order,  to  be  prefixed  to  the 
said  regulations  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  of 
the  United  States: 

Congress  judging  it  of  the  greatest  importance  to  prescribe 
some  invariable  rules  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the 
troops,  especially  for  the  purpose  of  introducing  an  uni- 
formity in  their  formation  and  manoeuvres,  and  in  the 
service  of  the  camp : 

Ordered,  That  the  following  regulations  be  observed  by  all 
the  troops  of  the  United  States,  and  that  all  general  and  other 
officers  cause  the  same  to  be  executed  with  all  possible 
exactness. 

Ordered,  That  the  Board  of  War  cause  as  many  copies 
thereof  to  be  printed  as  they  shall  deem  requisite  for  the  use 
of  the  troops. 

SATURDAY,  APRIL  3,  1779 

WAR  OFFICE,  and  April,  1779. 

The  Board  have  been  witnesses  of  the  great  diligence  and  attention  of 
Colonel  Fleury,  Captains  Walker,  I/Enfant  and  Duponceaux,  during  the 
Baron  STEUBEN 's  having  been  employed  in  forming  the  regulations  of  his 
Department.  Notwithstanding  the  Baron's  superior  knowledge  of  the  subject, 
there  were  subordinate  assistances  necessary,  which  were  with  great  attention 
and  labour  afforded  him  by  these  gentlemen  in  the  several  branches  assigned 
them.  We  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  Baron's  letter  2  on  that  subject,  and 
beg  to  report: 

Colonel  Fleury,  Captains  Walker,  L'Enfant  and  Duponceaux,  having  re- 
sided at  Philadelphia  for  several  months  past  and  assisted  Baron  STEUBEN  in 
forming  the  regulations  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  of  these 
States,  which  has  subjected  them  to  many  extraordinary  expences,  in  con- 
sideration thereof, 

Resolved,  That  the  following  sums  be  allowed  those  gentlemen. 

To  Col  Fleury  Dollars 

"  Captn  Walker  Dollars 

"  Captn  L'Enfant  Dollars 

"  Captn  Duponceaux  Dollars 

1  STBUBBN'S  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  174;  that  of  the 
Board  of  War.  dated  March  27,  is  in  No.  147,  in.  folio  143. 
2  This  letter,  dated  March  30,  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147.111,  folio  165. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  95 

The  Board  of  War  report,  that  the  committee  appointed  at 
York  town  to  confer  with  Baron  STEUBEN,  having  promised 
to  report  that  Mons.  I'Enfant  should  have  the  commission  of 
captain  of  engineers,  and  no  report  having  been  made  on  that 
subject,  the  Board  are  of  opinion, 

That  Mons.  I'Enfant  be  appointed  a  captain  in  the  corps 
of  engineers  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  to  have  rank 
from  the  i8th  day  of  February,  An.  Dom.  1778.* 

Resolved,  That  Congress  agree  to  the  said  report. 

Resolved,  That  the  remainder  of  the  report  be  postponed. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  5,  1779 

On  motion  by  Mr.  F.  I,.  L-ee,  and  seconded  by  Mr.  Dyer, 
Resolved,  That  Baron  STEUBEN,  inspector  general,  be 
informed  by  the  President,  that  Congress  entertain  a  high 
sense  of  his  merit,  displayed  in  a  variety  of  instances,  but 
especially  in  the  system  of  military  order  and  discipline 
formed  and  presented  by  him  to  Congress. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  12,  1779 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  letters  of  22 
January  and  2  April,  1779,  relative  to  an  allowance  to  be 
made  to  Baron  STEUBEN,  for  his  expences,  and  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Fleury  and  others  for  extra  services  in  assisting  the 
Baron  in  forming  the  regulation  for  the  order  and  discipline 
of  the  army :  after  debate, 

On  motion  of  Mr.  G(ouverneur)  Morris,  seconded  by  Mr. 
(Meriwether)  Smith, 

Ordered,  That  they  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Treasury. 

FRIDAY,  APRIL  16,  1779 

Whereas  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN  has  been  em- 
ployed upwards  of  six  months  in  preparing  regulations  for 
the  department  of  Inspector  General,  and  the  discipline  of 

1  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147,  III,  folio  159. 


96  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

the  army,  in  which  he  has  been  assisted  by  the  gentlemen 
hereafter  named,  and  it  being  represented  by  the  Board  of 
War  that  they  have  been  indefatigable  in  the  said  business 
and  expended  large  sums  for  their  support  in  this  city,  and 
that  the  regulations  have  great  merit  and  will  be  productive 
of  signal  advantage  in  the  economy  and  discipline  of  the 
army,  therefore, 

Ordered,  That  a  warrant  issue  on  the  treasurer,  in  favour 
of  Baron  STEUBEN,  for  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars; 
one  thousand  whereof  for  the  use  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Fleury,  six  hundred  for  the  use  of  Captain  Walker,  five  hun- 
dred for  the  use  of  Captain  1'Bnfant,  and  four  hundred  for 
the  use  of  Captain  du  Ponceaux,  as  a  compensation  for 
their  respective  services  and  expences  aforesaid. 

That  another  warrant  issue  on  the  treasurer,  in  favour  of 
Baron  STEUBEN  for  four  thousand  dollars  on  account  of  his 
expences.1 

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  16,  1779 

A  letter,2  of  12,  from  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN,  was 
read. 

Ordered,  That  the  letter  from  Baron  STEUBEN  be  referred 
to  the  Board  of  War. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  23,  1779 

A  letter,3  of  the  iyth,  from  General  Washington,  was  read: 
Ordered,  That  so  much  of  the  letter  as  respects  an  advance 

of  money  to  Baron  STEUBEN,  be  referred  to  the  Board  of 

Treasury. 

1  This  report,  dated  April  15,  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  136,  III,  folio  243. 

2  STEUBBN'S  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  1 78. 

'This  letter  is  printed  in  the  Diplomatic  Correspondence  of  the  American  Revolution  (Whar- 
ton).  II.  171. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  97 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  7,  1779 

A  report 1  from  the  Board  of  Treasury  was  read: 

TREASURY  OFFICE,  August  24th,  1779. 

The  Committee  on  the  Treasury,  having  taken  into  consideration  a  letter 
from  General  Washington  of  the  i7th  instant,  referred  to  them  by  Congress, 
beg  leave  to  report  the  following  Resolution : 

Resolved,  That  a  warrant  issue  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor  of  the  Honble  the 

Board  of  War  for Dollars,  to  enable  them  to  defray  from  time 

to  time  such  extra  expences  of  Major  General  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  and  other 
Officers  in  his  situation,  as  they  shall  judge  reasonable  and  proportioned  to 
the  circumstances  of  the  persons  applying:  for  which  sum  the  said  Board  of 
War  is  to  be  accountable. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three :  The 
members  chosen,  Mr.  (John)  Armstrong,  Mr.  (Jesse)  Root, 
and  Mr.  (Nathaniel)  Scudder. 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  21,  1779 

Resolved,  That  a  member  be  added  to  the  committee,  to 
whom  was  referred  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Treasury,  of 
24  August  last,  respecting  Baron  STEUBEN,  in  the  room  of 
Mr.  (John)  Armstrong,  who  is  absent. 

The  member  chosen,  Mr.  (Samuel)  Atlee. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  1,  1779 

A  letter,  of  16,  and  one,  of  17  November,  from  Baron 
STEUBEN  ;  and  a  letter,  of  30  of  the  same  month,  from  Cap- 
tain Galvan,  were  read,  accompanied  with  sundry  certifi- 
cates in  favour  of  Captain  Galvan.2 

Ordered,  That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER  29,  1779 

A  report  from  the  Board  of  War  on  the  letter,  of  30 
November,  from  Captain  Galvan,  was  read. 

NOTE. — This  report  states  that  Baron  STEUBEN  requests  that  Captain 
Galvan  now  be  appointed  to  the  Office  of  Sub-Inspector.  For  this  purpose  he 
must  have  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel.  General  Washington  thinks  the 
rank  that  may  be  given  Mr.  Galvan  should  not  exceed  that  of  a  major.  Con- 
gress voted  against  granting  Mr.  Galvan  the  commission  of  major. 

»This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  136,  III,  folio  577.  See  under 
October  21, 1779,  post. 

*  Galvan's  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  78,  X,  folio  183. 
84647'— 14 7 


Statue  of  Baron  Don  Steuben 


MONDAY,  JANUARY  24,  1780 

A  letter,1  of  18,  from  General  Washington,  was  read: 
Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War;  that  the 

Board  confer  thereon  with  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN, 

and  report  to  Congress. 

SATURDAY,  JANUARY  29,  1780 

The  committee,  appointed  on  the  loth  to  consider  a 
motion  relative  to  the  army,  brought  in  a  report:  2 

The  Committee  appointed  the  loth  Inst.  to  consider  a  motion  relative  to 
the  army,  having  agreeable  to  the  intentions  of  Congress  consulted  General 
Washington  on  the  subject,  and  considering  also  that  all  matters  relative  to 
the  establishing  and  reinforcing  the  army  have  been  lately  referred  to  the 
Board  of  War,  who  are  to  confer  with  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  on  the  subject 
beg  leave  to  report.  That  the  said  Motion  together  with  a  letter  from  G.  Wash- 
ington to  the  Committee  dated  the  23d  Inst.  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

Ordered,  That  the  said  motion,  together  with  a  letter,  of 
the  23,  from  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  the  committee,  be 
referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

FRIDAY,  FEBRUARY  25,  1780 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  motion  made  by 
Mr.  (John)  Mathews,  seconded  by  Mr.  (Elbridge)  Gerry, 
viz. 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  directed  to  confer 
with  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN,  respecting  the  expences 
of  himself  and  family  and  report  thereon. 

On  the  question  to  agree  to  the  foregoing  resolution,  the 
yeas  and  nays  were  required  by  Mr.  (William)  Ellery.  So 
it  passed  in  the  affirmative. 

1  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  152,  VIII,  folio  339. 

*  This  report,  in  the  writing  of  Elbridge  Gerry,  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress 
No.  21,  folio  335.  It  is  indorsed  by  Thomson:  "  Delivered  and  read  January  29,  1780;  agreed  to 
January  29."  Draft  of  Washington's  letter  is  in  the  Washington  Papers,  Series  A.  V.  pt.  i,  153. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  99 

TUESDAY,  FEBRUARY  29,  1780 

A  report x  from  the  Board  of  War  was  read,  respecting 
Baron  STEUBEN: 

At  a  Board  of  War,  February  28,  1780. 

Present  Col  Pickering,  Mr.  Peters,  Col  Grayson 

In  obedience  to  the  direction  of  Congress,  of  the  25th  instant,  the  board 
have  conferred  with  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN  respecting  his  expendi- 
tures, and  beg  leave  to  inform  Congress,  that  it  appears  he  has  disbursed  the 
sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  Louis  d  'ors  in  his  preparations  and  voyage  to 
America,  and  that  since  his  arrival,  and  during  his  continuance  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  he  has  expended  the  farther  sum  of  five  hundred  and 
forty  six  Louis  d  'ors. 

They  therefore  beg  leave  to  report, 

That  Major  Genl  Baron  STEUBEN,  be  allowed  the  sum  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty  Louis  d'ors  in  bills  of  exchange,  for  reimbursing  him  the  expenses 
of  himself  and  family  in  coming  to  America. 

That  the  farther  sum  of  five  hundred  and  forty  six  Louis  d'ors  in  bills  of 
exchange  be  advanced  to  him,  for  which  he  is  to  be  accountable. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three: 
The  members  chosen,  Mr.   (Robert  R.)  Livingston,  Mr. 
(Thomas)  McKean,  and  Mr.  (Oliver)  Ellsworth. 

MONDAY,  MARCH  6,  1780 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  from 
the  Board  of  War,  respecting  Baron  STEUBEN,  delivered  in 
their  report:  2 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of  the  Board  of  War  of  the 
twenty  eight  Feby.  last,  relative  to  the  expenditures  of  Majr.  Genl  STEUBEN, 
having  considered  the  same ,  humbly  report  the  following  state  of  facts 

ist.  That  Majr.  Genl  STEUBEN  appears  to  have  been  an  officer  of  high  rank 
in  the  Prussian  service  where  his  military  talents  were  improved  by  twenty 
years'  experience  and  several  active  campaigns  under  his  Prussian  Majesty. 

ad.  That  he  was  warmly  recommended  to  the  Comrs.  of  the  United  States  at 
Paris  by  the  Comte  de  Vergennes  and  the  Comte  D'St.  Germain;  that  he 
embarked  for  America  without  any  lucrative  views  as  far  as  your  Committee 
are  enabled  to  judge  from  the  whole  tenor  of  his  conduct,  more  particularly 
from  his  having  made  no  contract  of  any  kind  with  the  Comrs.  at  Paris. 

1  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147,  IV.  folio  195. 

1  This  report,  in  the  writing  of  Robert  R.  Livingston,  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, No.  19,  V.  folio  509.  It  is  indorsed  by  Charles  Thomson:  "Delivered  in  March  6.  1780. 
Postponed." 


ioo  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

3d.  That  since  his  appointment  to  the  inspectorship  he  has  greatly  improved 
the  discipline  of  the  Army  of  the  United  States  and  introduced  many  regula- 
tions and  maneuvres  equaly  useful  and  new. 

4th.  That  his  conduct  has  received  the  highest  approbation  of  Genl  Washing- 
ton, a  considerable  of  whose  confidence  he  appears  to  enjoy. 

5th.  That  he  has  received  no  compensation  from  Congress  for  the  expenses 
of  his  voyage  or  his  other  expenditures  since  his  arrival  except  an  advance  of 
500  dollars  and  his  appointments  as  a  Majr.  General,  both  of  which  have  fallen 
considerably  short  of  his  necessary  expenditures. 

6th.  That  his  continuance  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  will  probably  be 
attended  with  important  advantages  in  perfecting  the  discipline  which  he  has 
already  introduced. 

Upon  this  state  of  facts  the  Committee  beg  leave  to  report  the  following 
resolution : 

Whereas,  Majr.  Genl.  STEUBEN  hath  rendered  essential  services  to  the 
cause  of  America  by  the  introduction  of  several  improvements  in  military 
discipline  and  by  his  assiduous  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  department, 

And,  Whereas,  Congress  are  desirous  of  expressing  their  sense  of  those 
services  and  of  the  disinterested  manner  in  which  they  were  tendered,  as  well 
as  to  replace  the  sums  of  money  that  he  has  expended  while  in  their  employ, 
and  to  make  up  the  deficiencies  of  his  pay, 

Resohed,  That  one  thousand  pounds  sterling  in  bills  of  exchange  to  be 
drawn  on  Mr.  Jay  agreeable  to  the  resolution  passed  the  day  of 

last  be  paid  to  Majr.  Genl.  STEUBEN  for  the  purposes  aforesd. 

ROBT.  R.  LIVINGSTON  Chairman. 

TUESDAY,  MARCH  7,  1780 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  report  of  the  Board  of  War,  respecting  Baron 
STEUBEN,  and  thereupon  came  to  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN  be  allowed 
the  sum  of  250  Louis  d'ors,  in  bills  of  exchange  for  reim- 
bursing him  the  expences  of  himself  and  family  coming  to 
America. 

Resolved,  That  the  further  sum  of  five  hundred  and  forty 
six  Louis  d'ors  in  bills  of  exchange  be  advanced  to  him,  for 
which  he  is  to  be  accountable. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  9,  1780 

A  letter,1  of  8th,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read. 

1  Steuben's  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress.  No.  164,  folio  182. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  101 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  16,  1780 

A  report1  from  the  Board  of  Treasury  was  read;  Where- 
upon, 

TREASURY  OFFICE,  March  16,  1780. 
Sir, 

The  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  to  whom  Congress  by  a  Resolution  of  the  7th  inst : 
advanced  five  hundred  and  forty  six  Louis  D'ors  in  Bills  of  Exchange,  applies 
to  this  Board  to  know  the  rate  of  Exchange  at  which  they  are  to  be  charged: 
for  as  he  is  under  the  necessity  of  selling  these  Bills  immediately,  to  purchase 
necessaries  for  the  ensuing  campaign,  he  finds  on  Enquiry,  he  can  not  get  for 
the  Bills  but  half  the  sum  in  currency,  he  could,  if  he  was  furnished  with  the 
specie:  this  being  the  case,  the  disadvantage  resulting  to  him  under  these 
circumstances  is  too  great,  unless  Congress  shall  be  pleased  to  fix  the  rate  of 
Exchange  at  the  present  course.  If  that  should  be  declined,  he  then  desires 
that  in  lieu  of  the  Bills,  to  be  delivered  him  in  advance,  he  may  have  their 
equivalent  in  current  dollars  occasionally,  as  he  may  want  them;  and  for  the 
present  the  sum  of  50,000  dollars 

The  Board  are  of  opinion,  this  last  proposal  will  be  the  most  equitable  under 
the  present  fluctuating  State  of  Bills  of  Exchange  and  therefore  beg  leave  to 
report 

Ordered,  That  a  warrant  issue  on  the  treasurer,  in  favour 
of  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN,  for  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
for  which  he  is  to  be  accountable;  and  that  the  Board  of 
Treasury  forbear  carrying  into  execution  that  part  of  the 
resolution  of  Congress,  of  the  yth  instant,  which  directs  the 
sum  of  five  hundred  and  forty  six  louis  d'or  in  bills  of  ex- 
change to  be  advanced  to  Baron  STEUBEN. 

MONDAY,  MARCH  20,  1780 

WAR  OFFICE,  March  20,  1780. 
Sir, 

At  the  request  of  the  Baron  STEUBEN,  the  board  have  the  honor  to  transmit 
to  Congress  his  sentiments  on  the  subject  of  the  proposed  reduction  of  the 
number  of  Regiments  in  the  army.2 

TUESDAY,  MARCH  21,  1780 

A  report 3  of  the  Board  of  War  was  read;  Whereupon, 

At  a  Board  of  War,  March  20,  1780. 

Present  Mr.  Peters,  Col  Grayson 

The  Board  had  the  honor  to  transmit  Baron  STEUBEN 's  opinion  upon  the 
proposed  reduction  of  the  Regiments  in  the  army. 

Congress  can  best  judge  of  the  expediency  or  inexpediency  of  the  measure. 
If  they  should  be  of  opinion  that  no  reduction  should  at  present  be  attempted, 

1  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  136,  IV,  folio  137. 
*  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  148,  I,  folio  63. 
8  This  report  is  in  the  papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  147,  IV,  folio  359. 


I02  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

there  will  be  a  deficiency  of  subaltern  officers;  but  as  few  of  those  as  possible 
should  be  created,  as  multiplying  them  will  occasion  embarrassments  should  a 
reduction  be  thought  of  at  a  future  day.  Yet  some  addition  to  the  number  of 
these  officers  will  be  necessary.  The  board  therefore  beg  leave  to  report, 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  governments  of 
the  several  states,  to  suspend  making  new  appointments  of 
officers  on  the  regiments  of  their  respective  lines,  except 
where  the  Commander  in  Chief  or  commanding  officer  in  the 
southern  department  shall  deem  such  appointments  indis- 
pensably necessary. 

SATURDAY,  MARCH  25,  1780 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  the  Board 
of  War  on  a  motion  for  reducing  the  battalions  in  the  army, 
together  with  Baron  STEUBEN'S  thoughts  thereon: 

Ordered,  That  the  consideration  thereof  be  postponed  to 
the  first  of  December  next. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  6,  1780 

On  motion  of  Mr.  (Robert  R.)  Livingston,  seconded  by 
Mr.  (James)  Searle, 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  pro- 
ceed to  headquarters,  to  confer  with  the  Commander  in 
Chief  on  the  subject  of  his  letter  of  the  3d  instant  together 
with  the  report  of  the  Board  of  War,  and  the  letter  from 
Baron  STEUBEN,  on  the  subject  of  a  reduction  of  the  regi- 
ments, and  the  report  of  the  commissioners  on  the  arrange- 
ment of  the  staff  departments  of  the  army ;  and  that  a  com- 
mitteee  of  three  be  appointed  to  report  instructions  for  such 
committee. 

Congress  proceeded  to  the  election  of  a  committee  to  re- 
port instructions;  and  the  ballots  being  taken,  the  members 
chosen  were,  Mr.  (Robert  R.)  Livingston,  Mr.  (Oliver)  Ells- 
worth and  Mr.  (John  )Mathews. 

WEDNESDAY,  APRIL  12,  1780 

A  letter  *  from  Baron  STEUBEN  was  read. 

1  STEUBBN'S  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress.  No.  164,  folio  186. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  103 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  14,  1780 

A  letter,  of  3d,  from  Baron  STEUBEN  was  read: 
Ordered,  That  the  same,  together  with  the  plan  respecting 
the  inspector's  department  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

THURSDAY,  AUGUST  24,  1780 

The  Board  of  War,  to  whom  was  referred  the  letter  of  3, 
from  Baron  STEUBEN,  with  the  the  plan  for  conducting  the 
inspector's  office,  delivered  in  a  report,  which  was  read. 

At  a  Board  of  War,  Augt.  236.,  1780. 

Present  Mr.  Peters,  Col  Grayson 

The  Board  having  considered  the  letter  of  the  3d  instant  from  Baron  STEUBEN 
together  with  his  proposed  plan  for  the  establishment  of  the  department  of  the 
Inspectorship,  beg  leave  to  recommend  the  following 

IN  CONGRESS 
Establishment  of  the  department  of  the  Inspectorship 

Whereas  the  institution  of  this  department  hath  been  found  productive  of 
the  great  utility  to  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  and  experience  hath  shewn 
that  it  may  be  rendered  still  more  useful  by  an  extension  of  its  powers  and 
objects 

Therefore  Resolved 

That  the  former  establishment  by  a  resolution  of  the  18  of  February  1779 
be  repealed,  and  that  the  department  hereafter  have  the  following  form, 
powers,  and  privileges.1 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  25,  1780 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration  of  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  inspecting  department;  Whereupon, 

Congress  agreed  to  the  following  plan  of  the  inspecting 
and  mustering  department:  (See  Journals  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  Vol.  XVIII,  pages  855-860) 

Resolved,  That  Baron  STEUBEN  be,  and  hereby  is,  continued 
inspector  general  of  the  armies  of  these  United  States,  and 
vested  with  power  to  appoint  all  officers  necessary  to  carry 
the  aforesaid  plan  2  into  execution,  they  being  first  approved 
of  by  the  commander  in  chief. 

1  Detailed  description  of  the  department  and  its  duties  is  omitted  here.    The  resolution  is 
printed  in  full  in  Journals  of  the  Continental  Congress,  Vol.  XVII,  pages  765-770. 

2  New  plan  for  the  inspecting  and  mustering  department  of  the  army  of  the  United  States.    This 
report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No,  22,  folios  91-98. 


104  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

SATURDAY,  OCTOBER  28,  1780 

A  letter,1  of  this  day,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  M.  G.  was 
read 

MONDAY,  OCTOBER  30,  1780 

A  letter,2  of  28,  from  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN  was 
read. 

Resolved,  That  Congress  approve  the  appointment,  by  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  of  Major  General  Greene  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  southern  army,  agreeably  to  their  resolution 
of  the  5th  instant,  and  adopt  his  opinion,  that  the  talents 
and  service  of  Major  General  the  Baron  STEUBEN,  inspector 
general,  will  be  very  useful  in  the  southern  department;  to 
which  he  is,  therefore,  hereby  directed  to  repair. 

THURSDAY,  NOVEMBER  16,  1780 

Ordered,  That  the  report 3  of  the  Board  of  War,  of  the  4, 
respecting  cloathing,  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Esti- 
mates and  Ways  and  Means. 

WAR  OFFICE,  Nov.  4,  1780. 
Sir, 

The  Board  beg  leave  to  lay  before  Congress,  the  enclosed  letter  from  Major 
Genl  the  Baron  STEUBEN  mentioning  the  disposition  of  the  Minister  of  France 
to  transmit  a  requisition  for  clothing  and  other  necessaries  for  the  Officers  and 
Soldiers  of  the  American  Army.  Etc. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  18,  1781 

A  letter,*  of  8th,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read: 
Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

MONDAY,  JANUARY  22,  1781 

A  letter,5  of  n,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read. 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  7,  1781 

NOTE. — A  letter  of  February  23d  from  Major  General  STEUBEN  to  the 
Board  of  War  was  read  on  this  day,  the  indorsement  states.  It  is  in  the 
Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  218. 

1  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164.  folio  198. 

2  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  194. 

3  This  report  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress.  No.  147,  IV,  folio  659. 

4  STBUBEN'S  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  202. 
8  STBUBBN'S  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  aio. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  105 

MONDAY,  MAY  7,  1781 

A  letter,  of  5th,  from  the  Board  of  War,  was  read,  enclosing 
a  letter  of  25  April,  from  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN.* 

FRIDAY,  JULY  6,  1781 

A  letter,2  of  June  12,  from  Major  General  Baron  DE 
STEUBEN,  was  read: 

Ordered,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  War. 

WEDNESDAY,  JULY  11,  1781 

A  report  from  the  Board  of  War  was  read,  Whereupon, 

At  a  Board  of  War  July  nth  1781. 
Present  Mr.  Peters,  Colonel  Grayson,  General  Cornell. 

The  Board  having  taken  into  consideration  the  letter  of  the  i2th  ulto.  from 
Major  General  STEUBEN  referred  to  them  from  Congress. 
Beg  leave  to  report, 

Ordered,  That  the  Board  of  War  be  authorised  to  draw  a 
warrant  on  the  paymaster  general  in  favour  of  Captain 
du  Ponceau,  aid  de  camp  to  Major  General  STEUBEN  for 
eight  hundred  and  eighty-eight  dollars  in  bills  of  the  new 
emission  on  account  of  his  pay,  for  which  sum  he  is  to  be 
accountable. 

THURSDAY,  JANUARY  10,  1782 

The  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Cornell,  Mr.  Lovell, 
Mr.  Motte,  to  whom  was  referred  a  plan  for  conducting  the 
inspector's  department  reported  by  the  secretary  of  war, 
delivered  in  their  report,  which  being  read  was  agreed  to 
as  follows: 

Plan  for  conducting  the  inspector's  department 

Resolved,  That  the  establishment  of  the  inspector's  de- 
partment by  the  resolutions  of  the  25th  of  September,  1780, 
and  all  subsequent  resolutions  relative  thereto,  be,  and 
hereby  are,  repealed;  and  that  the  department  hereafter 
have  the  following  form,  powers,  and  privileges,  viz:  *  *  * 

NOTE. — The  resolution  is  printed  in  full  in  the  Journals  of  the  Continental 
Congress. 

1  This  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress.  No.  148,  I.  folio  369. 
8  STBUBEN'S  letter  is  in  the  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  164,  folio  226 


I06  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

Resolved,  That  Major-gen.  Baron  STEUBEN  be,  and  hereby 
is,  continued  inspector-general  of  the  armies  of  these  United 
States,  and  vested  with  power  to  appoint  all  officers  necessary 
to  carry  the  aforegoing  plan  *  into  execution,  they  being 
first  approved  of  by  the  commander  in  chief. 

FRIDAY,  JULY  26,  1782 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Duane,  seconded  by  Mr.  Root, 
That  Baron  STEUBEN  receive,  until  further  order  of 
Congress,  in  addition  to  his  pay  as  major-general,  80  dollars 
per  month  for  his  traveling  expenses  in  the  execution  of  his 
office  of  inspector-general,  to  be  computed  from  the  loth 
day  of  January  last. 

On  the  question  to  agree  to  this,  the  yeas  and  nays  being 
required  by  Mr.  Condict,  it  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative. 

MONDAY,  DECEMBER  30,  1782 

The  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Hamilton,  Mr.  Clark, 
and  Mr.  Carroll,  to  whom  was  referred  a  letter  of  the  5th,* 
from  Major  General  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  having  con- 
ferred with  him  thereupon,  submit  to  the  consideration  of 
Congress  the  following  facts,  resulting  from  the  communi- 
cations made  to  them,  supported  by  the  testimonials  of  the 
commander  in  chief  and  many  other  principal  officers  of 
the  army : 

i  st.  That  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  was  in  Europe  possessed 
of  respectable  military  rank,  and  different  posts  of  honor 
and  emolument,  which  he  relinquished  to  come  to  America 

1  New  plan  for  conducting  the  inspector's  department. 

z  December  5,  1782,  STEUBEN  addressed  a  letter  to  the  President  of  Congress  requesting  a  com- 
mittee to  enquire  into  and  report  his  situation  and  pretensions;  which  being  granted,  he  stated 
his  pretensions  in  the  words  following,  viz: 

"  My  demands  were  these;  to  join  the  army  as  a  volunteer;  that  I  wished  to  be  known  by  the 
commander  in  chief,  and  to  leave  it  to  the  officers  of  the  army  if  my  capacity  entitle  me  to  hold 
a  commission  in  it;  that  the  general  would  employ  me  in  such  a  branch,  where  he  thought  my 
services  the  most  useful;  that  I  was  determined  not  to  ask  a  favour  or  reward  previous  of  having 
deserved  it;  that,  however,  I  expected  from  the  generosity  of  Congress,  that,  in  imitation  of  all 
European  Powers,  they  would  defray  my  expenses,  although  a  volunteer,  according  to  the  rank 
which  I  held  in  Europe,  as  well  for  myself,  as  my  aids  and  servants." 


Proceedings  in  Congress  107 

and  offer  his  services  at  a  critical  period  of  the  war,  and 
without  any  previous  stipulations : 

2dly.  That  on  his  arrival  he  actually  engaged  in  the  army 
in  a  very  disinterested  manner,  and  without  compensations 
similar  to  those  which  had  been  made  to  several  other 
foreign  officers: 

3dly.  That  under  singular  difficulties  and  embarrassments 
in  the  department  in  which  he  has  been  employed,  he  has 
rendered  very  important  and  substantial  services,  by  intro- 
ducing into  the  army  a  regular  formation  and  exact  dis- 
cipline, and  by  establishing  a  spirit  of  order  and  economy 
in  the  interior  administration  of  the  regiments;  which, 
besides  other  advantages,  have  been  productive  of  immense 
savings  to  the  United  States;  that  in  the  commands  in 
which  he  has  been  employed,  he  has  upon  all  occasions 
conducted  himself  like  a  brave  and  experienced  officer; 
the  committee  are  therefore  of  opinion,  that  the  sacrifices 
and  services  of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  justly  entitle  him 
to  the  distinguished  notice  of  Congress,  and  to  a  generous 
compensation,  whenever  the  situation  of  public  affairs  will 
admit:  the  committee  farther  report,  that  the  Baron  DE 
STEUBEN  has  considerable  arrearages  of  pay  due  him  from 
these  states  on  a  liquidated  account,  and  that  having 
exhausted  his  resources  in  past  expenses,  it  is  now  indis- 
pensable that  a  sum  of  money  should  be  paid  him  for  his 
present  support,  and  to  enable  him  to  take  the  field  another 
campaign,  and  propose  that  the  sum  of  2400  dollars  be  paid 
him  for  that  purpose,  and  charged  to  his  account  aforesaid; 
Whereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  foregoing  proposal  of  the  committee  be 
referred  to  the  superintendent  of  finance  to  take  order. 

The  committee  farther  observing,  that  from  the  nature 
of  the  department  in  which  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  is  em- 
ployed, he  is  under  the  necessity  of  making  frequent  jour- 
nies,  by  which  he  incurs  an  additional  expense,  and  is  often 
deprived  of  the  allowance  of  forage  to  which  he  is  entitled; 
thereupon, 


io8  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

Resolved,  That  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  be  allowed  300 
dollars  per  month,  in  lieu  of  this  extra  pay  and  of  subsistence 
and  forage  for  himself  and  family,  including  wagon  as  well 
as  saddle  horses;  and  that  these  allowances  hereafter  cease. 

THURSDAY,  SEPTEMBER  11,  1783 

On  motion  of  Mr.  M'Henry,  seconded  by  Mr.  Peters, 
Resolved,  That  the  secretary  at  war  be,  and  he  is  hereby 
directed  to  issue  to  Captain  North  aid-de-camp  to  Major 
General  the  Baron  STEUBEN,  the  brevet  commission  of  major 
in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  24,  1784 

NOTE. — Though  the  Journal  of  the  Continental  Congress  for  this  day  does 
not  record  the  fact,  the  following  letter  was  received  from  Baron  STEUBEN 
resigning  his  commission  as  inspector  general  and  referred  to  a  committee 
consisting  of  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  Howell,  and  Mr.  Williamson,  as  indorsed  on  the 
original  copy  now  in  the  Library  of  Congress : 

"Sm: 

"Tho  a  foreigner,  I  flatter  myself  that  my  zeal  for  the 
interests  of  the  United  States  renders  me  worthy  to  partici- 
pate in  the  happiness  of  seeing  this  Confederacy  exalted  to 
that  Rank  which  the  Virtue  and  perseverance  of  its  Citizens 
have  merited. 

"The  Object  for  which  I  left  my  country,  my  friends  & 
all  that  was  dear  to  me,  is  accomplished. —  My  companions 
in  the  late  war  have  returned  to  the  Class  of  Citizens,  re- 
warded by  the  success  which  has  attended  their  patriotic 
labours.  The  French  Officers  satisfied  with  the  honorary  & 
pecuniary  rewards  they  have  received  from  the  United  States, 
still  expect  from  the  bounty  of  their  Sovereign  those  marks 
of  his  approbation  which  he  waits  to  bestow. —  My  feelings 
inform  me  that  it  is  time  to  quit  the  stage  &  to  sheath  that 
sword  which  has  been  drawn  (for  the  last  time)  in  this  glo- 
rious revolution. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  109 

"I  Return  into  the  hands  of  Congress  the  Commission 
which  I  had  the  honor  to  receive  from  that  honorable  Body, 
&  beg  they  will  accept  my  respectful  acknowledgements  for 
the  confidence  with  which  I  have  been  honored. 

"As  a  proof  of  my  attachment  to  the  United  States  & 
wishes  for  their  interest  &  welfare,  I  take  the  liberty  of 
offering  your  Excellency  some  Military  ideas  upon  a  peace 
establishment.  —  If  Congress  find  them  worthy  considera- 
tion, I  shall  with  pleasure  give  the  necessary  details  to  any 
person  they  may  please  to  name. 

"  My  engagements  with  the  United  States  being  fulfilled  & 
my  Military  career  finished,  I  request  the  attention  of  Con- 
gress to  a  report  of  their  Committee  on  my  claims,  dated 
3oth  December,  1782.  To  the  justice  and  generosity  of  that 
Honorable  body  I  commit  myself  &  am  with  the  greatest 
respect, 

"Sir,  Your  Excellency's 
Most  Obedient 
Humble  Servant, 

"STEUBEN. 
"Annapolis, 

"20  March 


TUESDAY,  APRIL   13,   1784 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  a  committee, 
consisting  of  Mr.  Lee,  Mr.  Howell,  and  Mr.  Williamson,  to 
whom  was  recommitted  their  report  on  a  letter  of  24th  March, 
from  major  general  baron  STEUBEN,  together  with  the  report 
of  a  committee  respecting  him,  entered  on  the  journal  of  the 
3oth  December,  1782,  and  the  first  resolution  reported  by 
the  committee  being  amended  to  read  as  follows  : 

"That  the  resignation  of  Baron  STEUBEN,  late  inspector- 
general  and  major  general,  be  accepted:  and  that  the  super- 
intendent of  finance  take  order  for  paying  him  13,000  dollars, 
as  a  compensation  for  the  sacrifices  he  made  when  he  entered 
the  service  of  the  United  States." 


i  io  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Gerry,  seconded  by  Mr.  Read, 
to  postpone  the  consideration  of  the  said  resolution,  in  order 
to  take  up  the  following: 

Whereas  major  general  baron  STEUBEN,  at  the  instance 
of  the  friends  of  America,  and  with  the  advice  and  concur- 
rence of  the  ministers  of  the  United  States  in  France,  did, 
in  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1777,  come  over  to  America, 
and  producing  the  most  honorable  testimonials  of  his  mili- 
tary rank  and  abilities,  did  proffer  his  services  to  Congress, 
declaring  at  the  same  time  that  he  would  not  make  any 
previous  stipulations  for  a  reward,  but  would  leave  it  to  be 
determined  by  Congress  after  they  should  have  proofs  and 
experience  of  his  merit  and  services. 

And  whereas  the  abilities  and  zeal  of  that  meritorious 
officer,  in  the  department  of  inspector-general,  have  been 
the  principal  cause  of  introducing  and  perfecting  discipline 
in  our  army,  and  establishing  such  a  system  of  economy  as 
produced  an  extraordinary  reduction  of  expenses: 

Resolved,  That  the  superintendent  of  finance  be  directed 
to  issue  securities  bearing  an  annual  interest  of  six  per  cent, 
and  payable  as  other  debts  due  to  the  army,  to  the  said 
major  general  baron  STEUBEN,  to  the  amount  of  45,000 
dollars,  in  full  of  all  sums  due  to  him  for  pay,  arrearages  of 
pay,  rations,  subsistence,  half  pay  or  commutation,  and  of 
all  other  demands  for  services  and  sacrifices  in  the  cause  of 
the  United  States. 

That  the  superintendent  of  finance  be  directed  to  advance 

in  specie  to  the  said  baron  STEUBEN,  the  sum  of 

in  part  payment  of  the  preceding  resolve: 

And  on  the  question  to  postpone  for  the  purpose  above 
mentioned,  the  yeas  and  nays  being  required  by  Mr.  Howell, 
New  Hampshire,  Mr.  Foster,  no         no 

Blanchard,     no 

Massachusetts,  Mr.  Gerry,  ay         ay 

Patridge  ay 


Proceedings  in  Congress 


Rhode  Island,  Mr.  Ellery,  no         no 

Ho  well,  no 

Connecticut,  Mr.  Sherman,  no         no 

Wadsworth,  no 

New  York,  Mr.  DeWitt,  no         no 

Paine,  no 

New  Jersey,  Mr.  Beatty,  no        no 

Dick,  no 

Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Mifflin,  ay         ay 

Montgomery,  ay 

Hand,  ay 

Maryland,  Mr.  M'Henry,  ay         ay 

Stone,  ay 

Virginia,  Mr.  Hardy,  ay         ay 

Mercer,  ay 

Monroe,  ay 

North  Carolina,  Mr.  Williamson,  no         div 

Spaight,  ay 

South  Carolina,  Mr.  Read,  ay         div 

Beresford,  no 
So  the  question  was  lost. 

THURSDAY,  APRIL  15,  1784 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  report  on  the 
letter  of  the  24th  March,  from  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN  ; 
and  thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  resignation  of  Baron  STEUBEN,  late 
inspector  general  and  major  general,  be  accepted. 

That  the  thanks  of  the  United  States  in  Congress  assem- 
bled, be  given  to  Baron  STEUBEN,  for  the  great  zeal  and  abili- 
ties he  has  discovered  in  the  discharge  of  the  several  duties 


H2  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

of  his  office;  that  a  gold  hilted  sword1  be  presented  to  him, 
as  a  mark  of  the  high  sense  Congress  entertained  of  his  char- 
acter and  services,  and  that  the  superintendent  of  finance 
take  order  for  procuring  the  same. 

That  the  proper  officers  proceed  to  the  liquidation  of 
moneys  due  from  the  United  States  to  Major  General  Baron 
STEUBEN;  that  the  superintendent  of  finance  report  to  Con- 
gress his  opinion  of  the  most  speedy  and  efficacious  means 
of  procuring  and  paying  the  same  either  here  or  in  Europe. 

That  Baron  STEUBEN  be  assured,  that  Congress  will  adopt 
these  or  such  others  as  shall  appear  most  proper  and  effectual, 
for  doing  him  that  justice  which  the  peculiarity  of  his  case 
authorizes. 

1  This  sword  was  presented  to  STBUBBN  on  January  4, 1787,  with  the  following  letter  from  Gen. 
Knox,  Secretary  of  War: 

War  Office.  Jan.  4,  1787. 
Sir. 

The  United  States  in  Congress  assembled  by  their  act  of  the  isth  of  April  1784  expressed  their 
high  sense  of  your  military  talents,  services,  and  character,  and  as  an  honorable  evidence  thereof, 
they  directed  that  a  gold  hilted  sword  should  be  presented  to  you.  It  is  with  great  satisfaction 
I  embrace  the  occasion  of  presenting  you  with  the  invaluable  memorial  of  their  sentiments  and 
your  eminent  merits. 

Were  it  possible  to  enhance  the  honor  conferred  by  the  sovereign  authority,  it  would  be  derived 
from  the  consideration,  that  their  applause  was  reciprocated  by  the  late  illustrious  commander 
in  chief,  and  the  whole  Army. 

I  have  the  honcr  to  be.  Sir,  With  the  most  perfect  consideration, 

Your  obedient  and  humble  servt.  H.  KNOX. 

The  honorable  Major  General  Baron  DB  STBUBBN,  late  inspector  general  of  the  armies  of  the 
United  States. 

To  this  letter  STEUBEN  replied  on  January  5,  1787,  as  follows: 
Sir, 

I  have  been  honored  with  your  letter,  and  Capt.  Stagg  has  delivered  me  the  sword  which  the 
United  States  were  pleased  to  order  by  their  act  of  the  isth  of  April,  1784. 

Permit  me,  sir,  to  request  that  you  express  to  Congress  the  high  sentiments  of  respect  and 
acknowledgment  with  which  I  receive  this  distinguished  mark  of  their  regard. 

To  a  soldier  such  sentiments  are  ever  dear,  and  that  this  is  accompanied  with  the  approbation  of 
our  late  commander  in  chief,  of  your  self,  and  the  army  in  genera},  will  always  be  my  greatest  glory. 

Accept  sir,  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  very  flattering  manner  in  which  you  have  communicated 
this  present,  and  believe  me 

Sir,  &c.  STEUBEN. 

The  New  York  Daily  Advertiser  of  January  xi,  1787,  contained  the  following  description  of  the 
sword  which  Congress  presented  to  STBUBEN: 

It  was  made  in  London,  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Smith,  and  executed  by  the  first  workmen 
in  that  kingdom.  The  small  medalions  on  each  side  of  the  top  of  the  hilt,  presents  an  eagle 
perched  on  a  bunch  of  arrows,  with  a  wreath  of  laurel  in  her  bill  and  wings  extended  ready  to 
rise.  The  modest  Genius  of  America  fills  the  front  medalion  on  the  hilt,  dressed  in  a  flowing  robe , 
ornamented  with  the  new  constellation,  holding  an  olive  branch  in  her  right  arm,  and  a  dagger 
in  her  left  hand,  and  the  fair  field  of  liberty  flourishing  in  the  background;  It  is  answered  on  the 
opposite  side  with  the  full  figure  of  Minerva,  in  martial  dress,  robed  and  ornamented  with  the 
same  stars;  the  bird  of  wisdom  is  seated  near;  her  left  hand  being  extended,  presents  the  olive 
branch,  while  the  right  is  properly  supported  by  the  spear,  this  figure  is  martial  and  gay;  the 
other  is  mild  and  modestly  embraces  the  olive  branch,  but  holds  the  dagger  with  firmness.  The 
bow  of  the  hilt  presents  drums,  colours,  halberts,  etc.  etc.  etc.  The  sword  and  blue  book  &  fills 
the  two  lower  ones,— two  eagles,  seated  on  knots  of  colours,  surrounded  with  stars  and  holding 
a  sprig  of  an  olive  branch  in  the  bill  with  extended  wings,  are  emblems  of  peace  and  protection, 
under  the  sword  and  blue  book  (which  our  country  cannot  too  strictly  attend  to).  The  two 
opposite  medalions  are  filled  with  trophies  of  war,  and  the  following  inscription  modestly  placed 
out  of  view,  under  the  shield:  "The  United  States  to  Major  General  Baron  Steuben,  i;th,  April, 
1784,  for  military  merit." 

•  The  Blue  Book  was  STBUBBN 's  regulations  for  the  drilling  of  the  Army. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  113 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Sherman,  seconded  by  Mr.  Ellery, 

Resolved,  That  the  superintendent  of  finance  take  order 
for  immediately  advancing  to  Baron  STEUBEN,  on  account, 
the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars.1 

On  the  report  of  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Howell, 
Mr.  Gerry  and  Mr.  Williamson,  to  whom  was  referred  a  letter 
of  the  i  gth  March,  from  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN,  late 
inspector  general,  informing  that  he  had  appointed  Major 
North,  inspector  to  the  troops  under  the  command  of  General 
Knox. 

Resolved,  That  Congress  approve  of  and  confirm  the  ap- 
pointment of  Major  William  North  as  inspector  to  the  troops 
remaining  in  the  service  and  pay  of  the  United  States.' 

WEDNESDAY,  MARCH  23,  1785 

On  the  report  of  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Howell, 
Mr.  Gerry,  Mr.  Williamson,  Mr.  Hardy  and  Mr.  Cadwallader, 
to  whom  was  referred  a  letter,  of  5th  February,  from  Baron 
STEUBEN. 

Resolved,  That  the  commissioners  of  the  treasury  pay  to 
Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  late  major-general  and  inspector  general 
in  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  the  amount  of  two  several 
liquidated  debts  due  to  him  from  the  United  States,  one  of 
which  was  due  March  2ist,  1782,  being  6000  dollars,  and  the 
other  June  loth,  1784,  being  1800  58—90  dollars,  together  with 
the  interest  thereon,  which  payment  shall  be  made  out  of  the 
requisition  for  the  present  year. 

The  following  paragraph  being  under  debate: 

That  in  consideration  of  the  Baron  STEUBEN'S  having  relin- 
quished different  posts  of  honor  and  emolument  in  Europe, 
and  rendered  to  the  United  States  most  essential  services,  he 
be  allowed  and  paid  the  sum  of 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Cadwallader,  seconded  by  Mr. 
Vining,  to  amend  by  adding,  "25,000  dollars  to  be  paid  as 

1  This  motion  was  adopted  unanimously  on  a  yea  and  nay  vote.    Previous  to  its  adoption  a 
motion  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  of  Virginia,  that  "$io,ooo  be  presented  to  Baron  STEUBEN  "was  lost  by 
a  vote  of  3  nays,  7  yeas,  i  divided.  A  motion  by  Mr.  Paine,  of  New  York,  that  "$8,ooo  be  presented 
to  Baron  STEUBEN"  also  was  lost  by  a  vote  of  3  nays  to  8  yeas. 
84647°— 14 8 


H4  Status  of  Baron  ion  Steuben 

aforesaid."  A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  King,  seconded  by 
Mr.  Holten,  to  amend  the  amendment,  by  striking  out  the 
words  "as  aforesaid,"  and,  in  lieu  thereof,  inserting  "by  in- 
stallments in  manner  hereafter  mentioned." 

And  on  the  question  to  agree  to  the  amendment  to  the 
amendment,  the  yeas  and  nays  being  required  by  Mr.  Holten, 
it  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  report  be 
postponed  till  tomorrow. 

THURSDAY,  MARCH  24,  1785 

Congress  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  paragraph  in  the 
report  of  the  committee  on  the  letter  of  5th  February  from 
Baron  STEUBEN,  which  was  yesterday  under  debate,  and  a 
motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Cadwallader,  seconded  by  Mr. 
Pinckney,  after  the  words  "  sum  of ,"  to  add  "  25,000  dollars : " 

And  on  the  question  to  agree  to  this,  the  yeas  and  nays 
being  required  by  Mr.  Ellery  and  Mr.  Pinckney,  the  question 
was  lost. 

Ordered,  That  the  further  consideration  of  the  report  be 
postponed  till  Monday  next. 

MONDAY,  JUNE  13,  1785 

On  the  report  of  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  Monroe, 
Mr.  Williamson  and  Mr.  Howell,  to  whom  was  referred  a 
letter  of  the  3d  May,  from  Baron  STEUBEN, 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Treasury  take  order  for  the 
immediate  payment  of  the  liquidated  debt  specified  in  the 
resolution  of  the  23d  of  March,  1785,  to  be  due  to  Baron 
STEUBEN  on  the  loth  day  of  June,  1784,  amounting  to 
1826  53-96  dollars,  together  with  the  interest  thereon. 

TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER  27,  1785 

Congress  took  into  consideration  the  report  of  a  committee, 
consisting  of  Mr.  Howell,  Mr.  Gerry,  Mr.  Hardy,  Mr.  Grayson 
and  Mr.  Wilson,  to  whom  were  referred  a  report  on  a  letter  of 
5th  February,  1785,  from  Baron  STEUBEN,  and  a  motion  of 
Mr.  Pinckney  on  the  same  subject. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  115 

Resolved,  That  in  full  consideration  of  the  Baron  DE 
STEUBEN'S  having  relinquished  different  posts  of  honor  and 
emolument  in  Europe,  and  rendered  most  essential  services 
to  the  United  States,  he  be  allowed  and  paid  out  of  the  Treas- 
ury of  the  United  States,  the  sum  of  7,000  dollars,  in  addition 
to  former  grants.1 

THURSDAY,  OCTOBER  25,  1787 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Smith,  in  behalf  of  the  committee,  to 
whom  was  referred  a  memorial  of  Baron  STEUBEN, 

Ordered,  That  the  secretary  of  Congress  write  to  General 
Washington  for  a  copy  of  the  papers  enclosed  in  Mr.  President 
Lauren's  letter  of  the  i9th  February,  1778,  marked  "com- 
mittee's conference  with  Baron  STEUBEN." 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  25,  1788 

The  committee  consisting  of  Mr.  Oilman,  Mr.  Otis,  Mr. 
Williamson,  Mr.  Carrington,  and  Mr.  I/Hommedieu,  to 
whom  was  referred  a  letter  from  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN, 
requesting  an  adjustment  of  his  claims  on  the  principles  of  a 
contract  alleged  to  have  been  entered  into  between  him  and 
the  United  States  previous  to  his  engaging  in  their  service, 
submit  the  following  report,  viz: 

NOTE. — The  report  sets  forth  in  detail  STEUBEN'S  oiler  of  his  services  to 
the  United  States  and  their  acceptance  by  Congress,  as  shown  in  the  fore- 
going proceedings,  and  then  concludes: 

"Your  committee  further  report,  that  although  the 
baron  has  disclaimed  any  preliminary  stipulations  for  reward, 
and  though  Congress  do  not  appear  to  have  engaged  to 
indemnify  him  for  emoluments  that  may  have  been  given 
up  in  Europe,  yet  he  has  received  from  Congress,  strong  and 
singular  proofs  of  their  desire  to  place  him  in  easy  circum- 
stances; and  under  the  different  heads  of  allowance  for 
expenses,  pay  as  major  general  and  inspector,  commutation 

i  Prior  to  adopting  the  resolution  granting  Baron  STBUBBN,  motions  to  fix  the  amount  at 
$15,000,  $10.000,  and  $8,000,  respectively,  were  lost. 


1 1 6  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

of  half  pay  for  life,  and  a  subsequent  grant,  according  to  the 
statement  made  by  the  commissioner  of  army  accounts,  he 
has  received  above  44,000  dollars  in  specie,  or  other  money 
reduced  to  specie  value,  besides  provisions  and  forage  to  a 
large  amount;  and  of  the  specie,  more  than  32,900  dollars 
have  been  paid  since  the  beginning  of  the  year  1784.  In 
consideration  of  the  foregoing  facts  and  all  circumstances, 
your  committee  are  of  opinion,  that  although  the  Baron 
STEUBEN  has  no  claim  against  the  United  States,  founded 
on  a  contract,  yet  considering  the  merit  and  services  of  the 
Baron  STEUBEN,  and  the  peculiarity  of  his  situation,  your 
committee  beg  leave  to  report  that  he  be  allowed  at  the  rate 

of dollars  per  annum  during  his  natural  life." 

A  motion  was  made  by  Mr.  Hamilton,  seconded  by  Mr. 
Lee,  that  the  said  report  be  committed;  and  on  the  question 
for  commitment,  the  yeas  and  nays  being  required  by  Mr. 
Oilman,  it  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative. 


FIRST  CONGRESS,  FIRST  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Annals  and  Journals  of  Congress] 

HOUSE 

FRIDAY,  SEPTEMBER  25,  1789 

Resolved,  That  the  memorial  of  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  be 
referred  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  report  thereupon 
to  the  next  session  of  Congress. 

FIRST  CONGRESS,  SECOND  SESSION 

HOUSE 

TUESDAY,  APRIL  6,  1790 

The  report  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  (Alexander 
Hamilton)  on  the  memorial  of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  was 
read  a  first  and  second  time,  and  committed  to  a  Committee 
of  the  Whole. 

The  report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  is  printed  in  American  State 
Papers,  Class  IX,  relating  to  Claims,  pages  n  to  16,  as  follows: 

No.  5 

1st  Congress.  zd  Session. 

CLAIM  OP  THE  BARON  DE  STEUBEN 

Communicated  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  April  6,  1790 

TREASURY  DEPARTMENT,  March  29,  1790. 

The  SECRETARY  OP  THE  TREASURY  on  the  memorial  of  the  Baron  DE  STEU- 
BEN, referred  to  him  by  an  order  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  of  the  25th 
of  September  last,  respectfully  reports: 

That  it  appears  from  the  papers  accompanying  the  said  memorial  that  the 
memorialist  grounds  his  present  claim  on  the  United  States  upon  a  contract 
which  he  alleges  to  have  been  made  with  Congress,  at  York,  in  the  year  1777, 
previous  to  his  joining  the  American  army. 

That  the  transaction  respecting  this  alleged  contract  is  stated  by  the  memo- 
rialist in  the  following  words: 

"At  the  arrival  of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  in  the  year  1777,  he  was  received 
by  Congress  with  marks  of  distinction,  and,  the  day  after  his  arrival,  was 
waited  on  by  a  committee  of  Congress,  composed  of  Dr.  Witherspoon,  Mr. 
Henry,  of  Maryland,  and  a  third,  whom  at  this  time  he  cannot  recollect. 
This  committee  demanded  of  the  baron  the  conditions  on  which  he  was 
inclined  to  serve  the  United  States,  and  if  he  had  made  any  stipulations  with 
the  commissioners  in  France.  He  replied  that  he  had  made  no  agreement 
with  them,  nor  was  it  his  intention  to  accept  of  any  rank  or  pay;  that  he 
wished  to  join  the  army  as  a  volunteer,  and  to  render  such  services  as  the 

117 


n8  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

commander-in-chief  should  think  him  capable  of,  adding  that  he  had  no 
other  fortune  than  a  revenue  of  about  six  hundred  guineas  per  annum,  arising 
from  places  and  posts  of  honor  in  Germany,  which  he  had  relinquished  to 
come  to  this  country;  that,  in  consideration  of  this,  he  expected  the  United 
States  would  defray  his  necessary  expenses  while  in  their  service;  that  if, 
unhappily,  this  country  should  not  succeed  in  establishing  their  independence, 
of  if  he  should  not  succeed  in  his  endeavors  for  their  service,  in  either  of  those 
cases  he  should  consider  the  United  States  as  free  from  any  obligations  towards 
him;  but  if,  on  the  other  hand,  the  United  States  should  be  happy  enough  to 
establish  their  freedom,  and  that  he  should  be  successful  in  his  endeavors,  in 
that  case  he  should  expect  a  full  indemnification  for  the  sacrifice  he  had  made 
in  coming  over,  and  such  marks  of  their  generosity  as  the  justice  of  the  United 
States  should  dictate;  that,  if  these  terms  were  agreeable  to  Congress,  he 
waited  only  their  orders  to  join  the  army  without  delay.  The  committee  were 
pleased  to  applaud  the  generosity  of  his  propositions,  in  thus  risking  his  for- 
tune on  that  of  the  United  States.  The  committee  then  left  him,  in  order  to 
make  their  report.  The  next  day,  Congress  gave  him  an  entertainment;  after 
which,  the  President,  Mr.  Laurens,  told  him  it  was  the  desire  of  Congress  that 
he  should  join  the  army  immediately,  which  he  did." 

That  the  evidence  adduced  by  him  in  support  of  it  consists  principally 
of  these  documents:  a  certificate  from  John  Witherspoon,  dated  November  i, 
1775,  another  from  Elbridge  Gerry,  dated  the  23d  of  November,  1785,  and  a 
third  from  William  Duer,  without  date,  which  several  certificates  are  annexed 
to  the  statement  above  recited,  and  refer  to  it;  also,  two  letters,  one  from 
Thomas  McKean,  dated  nth  September,  1788,  and  another  from  Francis 
Lightfoot  Lee,  dated  25th  September,  in  the  same  year;  all  which  gentlemen 
were,  at  the  time  of  the  transaction,  members  of  Congress,  and  three  of  them, 
viz:  John  Witherspoon,  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee,  and  Thomas  McKean,  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  mentioned  in  the  said  statement. 

That  the  certificate  from  the  said  John  Witherspoon  is  as  follows: 

PRINCETON,  November  i,  1785. 

I  can  recollect  very  distinctly  that  I  was  one  of  the  committee  who  waited 
on  Baron  STEUBEN,  on  his  arrival  at  Yorktown.  He  then  could  speak  no 
English,  and  I  believe  I  was  the  only  member  of  the  committee  who  could 
speak  French,  and  was  therefore  obliged  to  be  his  interpreter  to  the  other 
members,  as  well  as  to  make  the  report  to  Congress.  I  am  sensible  that  the 
above  is  a  just  and  fair  account  of  what  passed  on  that  occasion,  and  that  we 
were  all  sensible  that  the  Baron's  proposals  were  honorable  and  generous; 
and  accordingly  he  was  sent  to  General  Washington,  to  receive  his  directions 
from  him. 

JOHN  WITHERSPOON. 

That  the  certificate  from  the  said  Elbridge  Gerry  is  as  follows: 

NEW  YORK,  November  23,  1785. 

The  subscriber  certifies  that,  having  a  seat  in  Congress,  at  the  time  of  the 
Baron  DE  STEUBEN'S  arrival  at  Yorktown,  he  well  remembers  the  facts  herein 
stated,  excepting  what  relates  to  the  entertainment,  which  he  doubts  not  was 
provided,  and  to  the  time  of  the  baron's  arrival  at  that  place,  which  was  in 
the  beginning  of  the  year  1778.  The  subscriber  further  certifies  that,  in  ques- 
tions agitated  in  Congress  while  he  has  been  a  member,  respecting  the  allow- 
ance that  should  be  made  in  pursuance  of  the  within  stipulation,  he  has 
considered  the  claim  of  the  baron  for  a  full  indemnification  and  compensation 
as  a  claim  of  justice  founded  in  the  verbal  contract  of  the  parties. 

E.  GERRY. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  119 

That  so  much  of  the  certificate  of  the  said  William  Duer  as  relates  to  the 
fact  is  as  follows: 

"  I  was  a  member  of  Congress,  and  of  the  Board  of  War,  when  the  Baron  DE 
STEUBEN  arrived  at  Yprktown,  and,  though  I  was  not  present  at  that  place 
when  the  baron  had  his  first  interview  with  the  committee  of  Congress,  being 
absent  for  a  few  days  on  a  visit  to  Manheim,  I  perfectly  remember  that  the 
account  I  received  on  my  return  to  Yorktown,  of  the  engagements  entered 
into  with  the  Baron  STEUBEN  by  the  honorable  Congress,  was  perfectly  similar 
to  that  which  the  Baron  had  stated." 

That  the  material  part  of  the  letter  of  the  said  Thomas  McKean  is  as  follows: 

"My  memory  enables  me  to  say  that  you  came  to  Yorktown,  in  the  begin- 
ning of  February,  1798;  l  that  the  Congress  being  informed  of  it  proceeded 
to  name  a  committee  (of  which  I  was  one)  to  wait  upon  you,  learn  the  object 
of  your  visit,  and  to  confer  with  you  about  entering  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States.  They  might  have  received  further  instructions  but  I  do  not 
remember  them.  The  committee  (of  which  Doctor  Witherspoon  was  chair- 
man) called  upon  you  the  next  morning  at  your  lodgings,  when  a  conversation 
was  had  between  the  doctor  and  you  in  French,  which  he  interpreted  to  his 
brethren ;  part  of  what  was  thus  communicated  was,  that  you  came  to  America 
with  a  view  to  tender  your  services  to  Congress;  that  you  had  made  no  stipu- 
lations with  their  commissioners  in  France,  and  was  desirous  to  join  the  army 
as  a  volunteer,  and  to  act  there  in  such  situation  as  the  commander-in-chief 
should  think  you  best  qualified  to  fill ;  that  you  had  held  posts  of  honor  and 
profit  in  the  army  of  the  King  of  Prussia,  and  afterwards  (I  think)  of  the  Prince 
of  Baden,  which  last  you  had  relinquished  in  order  to  embark  in  the  American 
cause,  whose  fortunes  you  were  willing  to  partake;  that  if  it  failed  you  asked 
nothing  but  a  support,  according  to  your  condition,  while  you  served,  and  if 
it  succeeded,  and  your  services  were  approved,  you  would  expect  compen- 
sation for  the  sacrifices  you  had  made,  and  the  rewards  commonly  bestowed 
by  a  happy  and  grateful  people  on  faithful  and  successful  servants.  This, 
sir,  is  the  amount  of  what  I  recollect. " 

That  the  material  part  of  the  letter  of  the  said  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee  is  as 
follows: 

"  I  was  one  of  the  committee  appointed  by  Congress  to  wait  upon  you  on 
your  arrival  at  Yorktown,  and  understood  French  sufficiently  to  comprehend 
pretty  fully  all  that  you  said  to  the  committee. 

"You  informed  them  that  you  held  considerable  military  rank  in  Europe, 
with  posts  and  emoluments  to  the  amount,  I  think,  of  five  or  six  hundred 
guineas;  that  your  great  desire  of  being  serviceable  to  the  American  cause 
had  induced  you  to  relinquish  these,  and  offer  your  service  to  Congress;  that 
you  asked  for  neither  rank  nor  pay,  but  expected  your  expenses  in  the  army 
to  be  defrayed;  and  if  America  should  be  successful  in  her  contest,  you 
depended  upon  the  justice  and  generosity  of  Congress  to  make  you  amends 
for  your  losses,  and  reward  your  service;  if  unfortunate,  you  were  willing  to 
share  her  fortune.  I  do  not  recollect  any  particular  stipulation  for  reimbursing 
the  specific  sum  of  money;  but  it  was,  most  certainly,  well  understood  by  the 
committee  and  Congress  that,  if  our  contest  ended  happily,  and  your  services 
were  approved,  you  would  have  a  just  claim  to  very  liberal  compensation  for 
what  you  had  sacrificed,  and  for  your  services. 

"Congress  was  very  much  pleased  with  your  generous  proposals  when 
reported  to  them,  as  their  consequent  behaviour  to  you  sufficiently  verified." 

That  besides  the  foregoing  document,  there  are  two  letters  accompanying 
the  said  memorial,  one  from  Horatio  Gates,  dated  the  6th  of  December,  1785; 
the  other  from  Richard  Peters,  dated  the  3oth  of  October,  1785;  the  former 

1  Misprint,  should  read  1778  instead  of  1798. 


i2o  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

of  whom  was  President,  and  the  latter,  member  of  the  Board  of  War,  at  the 
time  of  the  said  transaction. 

That  the  letter  from  the  said  Horatio  Gates  contains  the  following  passage : 
"When  I  was  President  of  the  Board  of  War,  I  well  remember  your  coming 
to  Yorktown,  and  being  most  honorably  received  by  Congress.  A  committee 
was  immediately  appointed  to  wait  on  you,  and  after  they  had  conferred  with 
you,  you  were  invited  to  an  elegant  entertainment,  and  every  mark  of  dis- 
tinction was  shown  that  could  be  shown  to  an  officer  of  the  first  rank,  into  whose 
hands  the  inspection  and  discipline  of  the  army  was  to  be  intrusted.  With 
regard  to  pecuniary  matters,  I  always  understood  they  were  to  be  settled  upon 
the  most  liberal  and  generous  plan,  regard  being  had,  not  only  to  the  high 
station  you  were  to  fill,  but  the  sacrifice  you  had  so  generously  made  in  coming 
to  serve  this  country. " 

That  the  letter  from  the  said  Richard  Peters  contains  the  following  pas- 
sages: 

"BELMONT,  October  30,  1785. 

"  Sir:  In  answer  to  your  inquiries  respecting  my  recollection  of  what  passed 
at  Yorktown  relative  to  your  affairs,  at  your  arrival  at  that  place,  I  will  state 
such  circumstances  as  I  became  acquainted  with.  They  are  chiefly  such  as 
I  understood  from  members  of  Congress,  some  of  whom  were  appointed  to 
assist  the  Commissioners  of  the  Board  of  War,  and  to  explain  and  communi- 
cate such  matters  as  were  necessary  for  our  information  in  the  business  of 
our  Department. 

"You  were  received  by  Congress  with  every  mark  of  distinction  their 
situation  admitted,  and  had  more  particular  attention  paid  to  you  than  I 
had  known  given  to  any  foreigner.  Much  pleasure  was  expressed  at  the 
arrival  of  a  person  of  your  military  knowledge  and  experience,  at  a  time 
when  the  want  of  discipline  in  our  army,  and  the  economy  it  produces,  were 
severely  felt  and  regretted.  You  were  waited  on  by  a  committee  appointed 
for  that  purpose,  from  some  of  whom,  as  well  as  the  other  members  of  Con- 
gress, I  was  informed  that  you  had  conducted  yourself,  as  to  the  manner 
in  which  you  agreed  to  enter  our  service,  with  much  generosity  and  disin- 
terestedness, having  made  no  terms  either  as  to  rank  or  pay,  leaving  it  to 
Congress,  after  experience  of  your  talents  and  usefulness  as  a  volunteer  in 
our  service,  to  fix  such  as  your  merits  and  exertions  entitled  you  to.  Your 
having  made  no  contract  with  our  ministers  in  France  was  mentioned  as 
a  circumstance  which  prevented  embarrassments,  as  some  terms  had  been 
made  with  gentlemen,  which  did  not  meet  the  approbation  of  Congress. 
You  agreed  to  take  the  risk  of  our  affairs;  if  we  were  unsuccessful,  you  would 
of  consequence  be  deprived  of  any  means  of  compensation  for  the  sacrifices 
you  had  made  of  a  handsome  revenue  in  Europe,  and  must  have  suffered 
the  loss  of  military  reputation  generally  attendant  on  unsuccessful  service. 
But  I  always  understood  and  believed  that  in  case  our  cause  issued  happily, 
and  your  conduct  was  approved,  Congress  deemed  it  a  matter  of  obligation 
on  the  United  States  to  indemnify  you  for  the  losses  and  expenses  you  had 
sustained,  as  well  as  to  compensate  you  for  services,  in  common  with  other 
officers.  Precedents  for  such  indemnification  having  been  established  even 
antecedent  to  experience  in  service,  I  never  looked  upon  this  as  a  claim 
upon  the  generosity,  but  as  a  demand  upon  the  justice  of  this  country.  And 
although  there  was  no  written  agreement  to  this  purpose,  there  was  clearly 
an  implied  contract.  Your  situation  being  fully  stated,  and  your  expecta- 
tions explained,  Congress  desired  you,  through  their  President,  to  repair 
to  camp  and  join  the  army;  and  the  Board  of  War  was  directed  to  assist  you 
for  this  purpose  in  such  matters  as  were  requested." 

That  the  following  documents  have  been  supposed  to  militate  against  the 
admission  of  the  contract  relied  upon  by  the  memorialist: 

First.  A  letter  from  him  to  Congress,  dated  Portsmouth,  December  6,  1777, 
in  the  following  terms: 


Proceedings  in  Congress  121 

"Hon.  Gentlemen: 

"The  honor  of  serving  a  respectable  Nation,  engaged  in  the  noble  enter- 
prise of  defending  its  rights  and  liberty,  is  the  only  motive  that  brought  me 
over  to  this  continent.  I  ask  neither  riches  nor  titles;  I  am  come  here  from 
the  remotest  end  of  Germany  at  my  own  expense,  and  have  given  up  an 
honorable  and  lucrative  rank;  I  have  made' no  condition  with  your  deputies 
in  France,  nor  shall  I  make  any  with  you.  My  only  ambition  is  to  serve 
you  as  a  volunteer,  to  deserve  the  confidence  of  your  general-in-chief,  and  to 
follow  him  in  all  his  operations,  as  I  have  done  during  seven  campaigns  with 
the  King  of  Prussia;  two-and-twenty  years  passed  at  such  a  school  seem  to 
give  me  a  right  of  thinking  myself  in  the  number  of  experienced  officers; 
and  if  I  am  possessor  of  some  talents  in  the  art  of  War,  they  should  be  much 
dearer  to  me  if  I  could  employ  them  in  the  service  of  a  republic,  such  as 
I  soon  hope  to  see  America.  I  should  willingly  purchase  at  my  whole  blood 's 
expense  the  honor  of  seeing  one  day  my  name  after  those  of  the  defenders 
of  your  liberty.  Your  gracious  acceptance  will  be  sufficient  for  me,  and  I 
ask  no  other  favor  than  to  be  received  among  your  officers.  I  dare  hope 
you  will  agree  with  this  my  request,  and  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  send 
me  your  orders  to  Boston,  where  I  shall  expect  them,  and  accordingly  take 
convenient  measures. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  respect,  honorable  gentlemen, 
"Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

"STEUBEN." 

Secondly.  A  report  on  the  files  of  Congress,  of  the  committee  which  con- 
ferred with  the  memorialist  at  Yorktown,  in  these  words: 

The  Baron  STEUBEN,  who  was  a  lieutenant  general  and  an  aid-de-camp  to 
the  King  of  Prussia,  desires  no  rank,  is  willing  to  attend  General  Washington, 
and  be  subject  to  his  orders;  does  not  require  or  desire  any  command  of  a 
particular  corps  or  division,  but  will  serve  occasionally  as  directed  by  the 
general;  expects  to  be  of  use  in  planning  encampments,  etc.,  and  promoting 
the  discipline  of  the  army.  He  heard  before  he  left  France  of  the  dissatis- 
faction of  the  Americans  with  the  promotion  of  foreign  officers,  therefore 
makes  no  terms,  nor  will  accept  of  anything  but  with  general  approbation, 
and  particularly  that  of  General  Washington. 

Thirdly.  A  letter  from  the  memorialist  to  the  President  of  Congress,  dated 
in  December,  1782,  and  containing  this  passage: 

"  My  demands  were  these;  to  join  the  army  as  a  volunteer,  that  I  wished  to 
be  known  by  the  commander-in-chief ,  and  to  leave  it  to  the  officers  of  the  army 
if  my  capacity  entitled  me  to  hold  a  commission  in  it;  that  the  general  would 
employ  me  in  such  a  branch,  where  he  thought  my  services  the  most  useful; 
that  I  was  determined  not  to  ask  a  favor  or  reward  previous  to  having  deserved 


and  servants." 

That  the  Secretary,  desirous  of  knowing  what  explanation  of  these  docu- 
ments the  memorialist  might  have  it  in  his  power  to  give,  did,  on  the  2 6th  of 
January  past,  write  him  a  letter  in  the  following  words: 

"Among  the  documents  which  relate  to  the  circumstances  of  your  entrance 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  are  a  letter  from  you  to  Congress,  dated  at 
Portsmouth,  the  6th  of  December,  1777;  a  report  of  the  committee  which  con- 
ferred with  you  at  Yorktown:  and  a  letter  from  you  to  the  President  of  Congress, 
dated  in  December,  1782.  Enclosed  you  will  find  copies  of  the  two  first,  and 
the  next  act  from  the  last.  As  these  may  seem  to  militate  against  your  claims 
as  founded  in  contract,  I  think  it  proper,  before  I  report  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives upon  your  memorial,  to  afford  you  an  opportunity  of  making  such 
remarks  upon  those  documents  as  may  appear  to  be  advisable." 


122  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

That  to  this  letter  the  Secretary  received  an  answer,  dated  the  27th  of  the 
same  month,  of  which  the  following  is  a  translation: 

"NEW  YORK,  January  27th,  1790. 

"  SIR:  The  letter  which  you  did  me  the  honor  of  addressing  to  me  yesterday 
I  have  received;  and  am  indebted  to  you  for  affording  me  an  opportunity  to 
elucidate  the  nature  of  my  engagement  with  the  United  States.  From  the 
information  I  received  of  the  Minister  of  France,  that  the  preferment  of  for- 
eigners to  military  employments  had  been  a  cause  of  discontent  in  the  Amer- 
ican Army,  I  foresaw  the  necessity  of  pursuing  measures  different  from  those 
which  had  been  adopted  by  my  predecessors,  in  order  to  gain  admission  into 
your  Army. 

"  Being  sure  of  success  in  my  enterprise,  as  soon  as  the  Commander-in-chief 
and  the  army  should  be  convinced  of  the  advantages  of  my  military  arrange- 
ments, there  was  but  one  difficulty  to  surmount,  and,  from  the  complexion  of 
the  times  that  difficulty  was  of  the  greatest  magnitude.  It  depended  upon 
obtaining  such  a  post  in  the  Army  as  would  enable  me  to  make  use  of  the 
knowledge  of  my  profession,  and  to  render  it  beneficial  to  the  interests  of  the 
United  States,  without  exciting  the  dissatisfaction  and  jealousy  of  the  officers 
of  your  army.  Any  conditions  proposed  by  me  under  these  circumstances, 
tending  to  insure  me  a  recompense  proportioned  to  my  sacrifices  and  my 
services,  would  not  have  failed  to  render  all  negotiations  abortive.  But  pro- 
posals to  serve  the  United  States  as  a  volunteer,  without  rank  or  pay,  could 
give  no  umbrage;  and  surely  the  proposition  was  a  generous  one. 

Suppose,  however,  I  had  added  that,  for  the  honor  of  serving  the  United 
States,  I  had  resigned  in  my  native  country  honorable  and  lucrative  employ- 
ments; that  I  had  come  to  America  at  my  own  expense,  for  the  purpose  of 
fighting  her  battles;  and  that,  after  she  should  have  obtained  her  independency, 
I  would  decline  all  compensation  for  the  services  I  had  rendered.  I  would 
ask,  sir,  in  what  light  would  such  a  proposition  have  been  received  by  so 
enlightened  a  body  as  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  To  me  it  appears 
that  common  sense  would  have  declared  the  author  of  such  a  proposition  to 
be  either  a  lunatic  or  a  traitor.  The  former,  for  his  coming  from  another  part 
of  the  globe  to  serve  a  nation  unknown  to  him ;  and  at  the  same  time  renounci  ng 
all  his  possessions  for  a  cause  to  which  he  was  an  utter  stranger,  without  having 
in  view  the  gratification  of  ambition  or  the  advancement  of  interests.  The 
latter,  as  it  might  appear,  that  his  making  such  generous  proposals  to  introduce 
himself  into  your  army  was  with  the  most  dangerous  views,  for  which  he 
probably  received  compensation  from  the  enemy. 

"In  view  of  these  aspects,  would  the  person  making  similar  propositions  have 
been  admissible? 

"What  measures,  then,  were  necessary  to  be  pursued  to  enable  to  render 
those  services  to  the  United  States  which  I  had  proposed  to  myself. 

"  Having  made  these  observations,  sir,  I  entreat  you  to  read  my  letter  to 
Congress  of  January,  1778;  badly  translated  as  it  is,  it  will  be  intelligible  to 
you,  as  being  one  of  those  who  are  particularly  informed  of  the  critical  situation 
of  Congress  and  of  the  army  at  that  period  of  the  Revolution. 

"You  will  easily  discover,  sir,  that  this  letter  was  dictated  by  no  other 
motive  than  to  facilitate  my  reception  into  your  Army.  The  effect  has 
answered  my  conjectures  and  my  desires.  If,  however,  I  should  be  charged 
with  having  made  use  of  illicit  stratagems  to  gain  admission  into  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  I  am  sure  I  have  obtained  my  pardon  of  the  Army,  and 
I  flatter  myself  of  the  citizens  of  this  Republic  in  general.  In  consequence 
of  this  letter,  I  was  directed  by  a  resolution  of  Congress  to  join  the  Army; 
notwithstanding  which,  I  judged  it  necessary  to  proceed  first  to  Yorktown, 
as  well  to  pay  my  respects  to  that  august  body  who  presided  over  a  nation 
whom  I  was  going  to  serve,  as  to  learn  the  advantage  or  disadvantage  which 
might  result  to  me  from  so  hazardous  enterprise.  At  my  arrival  the  Congress 
did  me  the  honor  of  appointing  a  committee  to  confer  with  me.  If  my  first 
letter  and  the  answer  to  it  had  been  considered  by  them  as  a  sufficient  engage- 


Proceedings  in  Congress  123 

ment,  was  there  any  occasion  for  this  committee?  Was  there  any  necessity 
for  this  conference  ?  All  that  passed  in  this  conversation  is  sufficiently  proved, 
and  needs  no  further  repetition. 

"If,  on  impartial  examination  of  the  subject,  it  should  appear  that  my 
propositions  to  this  committee  were  incompatible  with  my  first  letter  to  Con- 
gress I  confess  that  my  judgment  misleads  me. 

"  I  represented  to  the  gentlemen  of  that  committee  that  I  had  not  entered 
into  any  agreement  with  the  American  Commissioners  in  France;  that  I 
would  not  insist  upon  making  any  present,  but  would  serve  the  United  States 
as  a  volunteer,  without  rank  or  pay,  on  condition,  notwithstanding,  that  my 
expenses  in  the  Army  should  be  defrayed.  I  declared  to  them  that  I  had  no 
other  fortune  than  a  revenue  of  about  six  hundred  louis-d'Ors,  arising  from  a 
post  I  held  in  my  native  country,  which  I  was  going  to  resign,  to  serve  the 
United  States  being  disposed  to  hazard  the  whole  on  the  event;  and  that  not 
until  I  had  succeeded  in  my  undertakings,  and  the  United  States  had  obtained 
their  liberty  by  a  satisfactory  peace,  would  I  ask  an  indemnification  for  my 
sacrifices  and  disbursements,  and  for  such  other  marks  of  acknowledgement 
and  generosity  as  in  the  justice  of  Congress  should  be  deemed  adequate  to  my 
service. 

"  It  appears  that  the  committee  reported  to  Congress  I  had  made  no  condi- 
tions, and  that  I  would  not  accept  of  anything  without  general  approbation, 
and  particularly  that  of  General  Washington;  although  I  do  not  allow  that 
report  to  be  exact  in  its  literal  sense,  yet  I  do  not  find  it  so  extraordinary,  that 
expectations  founded  upon  the  event  of  a  revolution  of  this  nature  should  be 
represented  as  making  no  stipulations.  Besides,  it  seems  probable  that  the 
politics  of  the  times  made  it  necessary  to  give  such  a  complexion  to  the  report 
as  would  remove  all  jealousy. 

"  Permit  me,  sir,  to  suggest  here  a  question;  why  not  this  report  (like  all 
other  reports  of  committees)  entered  upon  the  journals  of  Congress?  I  doubt 
whether  it  would  have  been  contradicted  by  me;  but  at  least  it  would  have 
afforded  me  an  opportunity  of  taking  precautions.  I  assure  you,  sir,  upon  my 
honor,  that  this  report  was  never  brought  into  view  previous  to  the  year  1778, 
and  that  I  did  not  see  it  until  General  Washington  had  the  goodness  to  send 
me  a  copy  of  it.  Be  this  as  it  will,  no  person,  sir,  is  better  informed  than 
yourself  how  difficult  it  was  at  that  time  to  introduce  a  foreigner  into  your 
Army  even  without  any  condition  whatever. 

"With  regard  to  my  second  letter  of  December,  1782,  I  confess  I  do  not 
find  in  that  any  contradiction  of  the  facts  represented  to  have  taken  place  in 
the  conference  at  Yorktown. 

"  In  this  letter  I  state  that  my  desires  were  to  join  your  Army  as  a  volunteer; 
that  I  did  not  ask  any  employ,  until  the  approbation  of  the  Commander-in- 
Chief,  and  the  opinion  of  the  Army,  should  assign  me  a  place  in  which  I 
should  be  useful,  that  I  ask  no  compensation  until  it  was  merited,  provided, 
however,  that  my  expenses  for  my  own  person  as  well  as  my  suite  were  de- 
frayed by  the  United  States,  agreeable  to  the  usage  of  European  powers.  I 
perceived  that  it  may  be  asked,  why  I  did  not  at  that  time  insist  upon  my 
contract.  I  answer,  that  it  was  my  wish  never  to  mention  it,  as  it  appeared 
to  me  more  honorable  to  the  United  States,  and  more  flattering  to  myself,  to 
receive  a  recompense  dictated  rather  by  generosity  than  by  conditions,  and 
that  it  was  with  reluctance  and  through  urgent  circumstances,  upon  that 
stipulation  which  was  the  basis  of  my  engagement  at  Yorktown.  But  there 
is  another  reason  why  this  contract  was  not  mentioned  in  my  letter  immedi- 
ately after  the  conclusion  of  the  War. 

"The  Congress  were  besieged  by  a  crowd  of  foreign  officers,  who  were  as 
little  satisfied  as  the  National  troops,  which  was  a  circumstance,  that,  prob- 
ably, induced  some  respectable  persons,  then  members  of  Congress,  (in  whom 
I  place  the  greatest  confidence,)  to  advise  me  to  pass  over  in  silence  all  that 
related  to  a  former  contract,  and  to  rest  my  pretensions  solely  on  the  merits 
of  my  services,  and  the  generosity  of  the  United  States.  If  my  memory  is 


124  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

faithful,  yourself,  sir,  were  of  the  number  of  those  by  whose  opinion  I  was 
governed . 

"Once  more  I  assure  you,  sir,  that  it  is  with  regret  I  have  recourse  to  that 
contract;  but  there  remains  no  other  resource  to  obtain  that  justice  which  is 
due  to  me. 

"These,  sir,  are  all  the  explanations  I  can  give  you;  if  they  are  not  suffi- 
cient, I  submit  to  the  consequences.  All  that  I  ask  of  you  is,  to,  accelerate 
the  decision ;  no  event  can  render  my  situation  more  unhappy — in  fact,  it  is 
insupportable. 

"There  must  always  remain  one  consolation;  the  truth  of  the  facts  stated 
in  my  memorial  to  Congress  cannot  be  disputed  without  raising  a  doubt  of 
the  veracity  of  some  of  the  most  worthy  and  respectable  characters  in  the 
United  States,  several  of  whom  have  held,  or  now  hold,  the  highest  places  in 
the  Government  of  their  country. 

"Having  no  secretary,  you  will  please,  sir,  to  excuse  my  addressing  you  in 
the  language  which  is  more  familiar  to  me  than  the  English. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  etc." 

The  Secretary  further  reports : 

That  on  the  5th  of  May,  1778,  the  memorialist  was  appointed  by  Congress 
inspector  general,  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  major  general,  to  which  was 
afterwards  added  a  further  allowance  for  the  extra  service  and  expense  inci- 
dent to  the  office  of  inspector-general. 

That  there  appears  on  the  journals  of  Congress  a  report  of  a  committee  of 
the  3oth  of  December  1782,  stating, 

"ist.  That  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  was  in  Europe  possessed  of  a  respectable 
military  rank,  and  different  posts  of  honor  and  emolument,  which  he  relin- 
quished to  come  to  America,  and  offer  his  services  at  a  critical  period  of  the 
war,  and  without  any  previous  stipulations. 

"ad.  That  on  his  arrival,  he  actually  engaged  in  the  army  in  a  very  disin- 
terested manner,  and  without  compensations  similar  to  those  which  had  been 
made  to  several  other  foreign  officers. 

"3rd.  That  under  singular  difficulties  and  embarrassments  in  the  depart- 
ment in  which  he  had  been  employed,  he  has  rendered  very  important  and 
substantial  services,  by  introducing  into  the  army  a  regular  formation  and 
exact  discipline,  and  by  establishing  a  spirit  of  order  and  economy  in  the  in- 
terior administration  of  the  regiments;  which,  besides  other  advantages,  have 
been  productive  of  immense  savings  to  the  United  States;  that  in  the  com- 
mands in  which  he  had  been  employed,  he  has,  upon  all  occasions,  conducted 
himself  like  a  brave  and  experienced  officer. 

"The  committee,  are,  therefore,  of  opinion,  that  the  sacrifices  and  services 
of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  justly  entitle  him  to  the  distinguished  notice  of 
Congress,  and  to  a  generous  compensation,  whenever  the  situation  of  public 
affairs  will  admit.  The  committee  further  report,  that  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN 
has  considerable  arrearages  of  pay  due  to  him  from  these  States,  on  a  liqui- 
dated account,  and  that,  having  exhausted  his  resources,  it  is  now  indispen- 
sable thatasumof  money  should  be  paid  him  for  his  present  support,  and  to 
enable  him  to  take  the  field  another  campaign,  and  propose  that  the  sum  of 
two  thousand  four  hundred  dollars  be  paid  him  for  that  purpose,  and  charged 
to  his  account  aforesaid;  whereupon  Congress  resolved 

"That  the  foregoing  proposal  of  the  committee  be  referred  to  the  Superin- 
tendent of  Finance  to  take  order." 

That  on  the  i5th  of  April  1784,  Congress  did  also  resolve 

"That  the  thanks  of  the  United  States,  in  Congress  asembled,  be  given  to 
Baron  STEUBEN,  for  the  great  zeal  and  abilities  he  has  discovered  in  the  dis- 
charge of  the  several  duties  of  his  office;  that  a  gold-hilted  sword  be  presented 
to  him  as  a  mark  of  the  high  sense  Congress  entertain  of  his  character  and 


Proceedings  in  Congress  125 

services;  and  that  the  Superintendent  of  Finance  take  order  for  procuring  the 
same;  that  the  proper  officers  proceed  to  the  liquidation  of  moneys  due  from 
the  United  States  to  Major  General  Baron  STEUBEN;  that  the  Superintendent 
of  Finance  report  to  Congress  his  opinion  of  the  most  speedy  and  efficacious 
means  of  procuring  and  paying  the  same,  either  here  or  in  Europe;  that  Baron 
STEUBEN  be  assured  that  Congress  will  adopt  these  or  such  others  as  shall 
appear  most  proper  and  effectual  for  doing  him  that  justice  which  the  peculiar- 
ity of  his  case  authorizes. " 

That  on  the  a;th  of  September,  1785,  Congress  did  further  resolve 

"That,  in  full  consideration  of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN'S  having  relin- 
quished different  posts  of  honor  and  emolument  in  Europe,  and  rendered  most 
essential  services  to  the  United  States,  he  be  allowed,  and  paid  out  of  the 
Treasury  of  the  United  States,  the  sum  of  seven  thousand  dollars,  in  addition 
to  former  grants;  that  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  has  received  at  different  times 
sums  equal  to  the  amount  of  the  pay  and  emoluments  annexed  to  his  station 
in  the  American  army,  to  the  commutation  of  a  major  general,  and  to  the  sum 
expressed  in  the  resolution  last  recited." 

A  question  arises  whether  the  acceptance  of  these  appointments,  emolu- 
ments, and  allowances,  did  virtually  supersede  the  antecedent  contract  relied 
on  by  the  memorialist,  admitting  it  to  have  existed.  To  which  he  answered, 

"That  it  cannot  be  presumed  that  an  individual,  in  accepting  from  a  Gov- 
ernment the  emoluments  annexed  to  a  station  to  which  he  is  appointed  for  the 
service  of  that  Government  unsolicited  by  him,  could  remove  a  prior  and  more 
beneficial  contract. 

"That  the  more  natural  presumption  is,  that  Congress,  by  conferring  those 
emoluments,  meant  to  ascertain  and  limit  the  expenses  they  had  stipulated  to 
bear,  and  to  support  the  respectability  of  the  office  they  had  thought  proper 
to  create. 

"  That,  as  major  general,  he  received  the  pay  and  other  emoluments  allowed 
to  other  major  generals  of  the  army;  as  inspector  general,  he  received  an  extra 
allowance  in  consideration  of  extra  trouble  and  expense. 

"  That  the  emoluments  allowed  to  an  officer  in  service  can  only  be  referred 
to  the  services  he  renders;  they  can  have  nothing  to  do  with  an  indemnity  for 
revenues  relinquished,  and  can  never  be  deemed,  by  mere  inference  and  im- 
plication, to  extinguish  a  contract  founded  on  that  principle. 

"That  with  regard  to  the  acceptance  of  the  last  grant,  it  was  a  matter  of 
pure  necessity  proceeding  from  a  situation  absolutely  indigent;  and  that  the 
reverse  of  a  disposition  to  acquiesce  in  it  has  been  uniformly  manifested  on 
his  part." 

Having  stated  the  foregoing  particulars,  which  are  the  most  material  that 
have  come  under  the  observation  of  the  Secretary,  relating  to  the  claim  of  the 
memorialist,  he  proceeds  to  remark: 

That  the  statement  made  by  the  memorialist  of  what  passed  in  the  confer- 
ence at  Yorktown,  is  authenticated  by  such  strong,  direct,  and  collateral  evi- 
dence, as  ought,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Secretary,  to  secure  full  credit  to  the 
existence  of  the  fact.  Waiving  the  regard  due  to  the  memorialist's  own  asser- 
tion, it  is  not  supposable  that  if  his  representation  had  been  ill-founded,  it 
could  have  obtained  the  sanction  of  so  many  disinterested  persons,  agents  in 
or  witnesses  to  the  transaction.  That  notwithstanding  this,  it  may  be  inferred, 
as  well  from  the  written  report  of  the  committee,  as  from  other  circumstances, 
that  the  idea  of  a  precise  contract  did  not  generally  prevail.  It  is  probable  that 
as  the  indemnity  and  reward  for  the  sacrifices  and  services  of  the  baron  were  by 


I26  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

him  made  to  depend  on  the  success  of  a  national  revolution,  the  mention  of 
them  was  viewed  rather  as  a  suggestion  of  expectations  than  as  a  stipulation 
of  terms.  This  might  the  more  easily  have  happened,  as  it  is  presumable  that 
the  situation  of  the  affairs  at  the  time  must  have  disposed  Congress  to  con- 
sider an  officer  who  had  had  opportunities  of  the  memorialist,  as  a  valuable 
acquisition  to  the  service,  and  to  regard  a  compliance  with  the  expectations 
intimated  by  him,  in  the  event  of  success,  as  too  much  a  matter  of  course  to 
need  a  stipulation.  That  this  view  of  the  affair  appears  to  the  Secretary  to 
afford  a  satisfactory  solution  of  any  difficulties  which  might  result  from  seem- 
ingly discordant  circumstances,  and  to  place  all  the  parts  of  the  transaction  in 
a  simple  and  consistent  light. 

Upon  the  whole,  therefore,  as  it  cannot  with  propriety  be  questioned  that 
a  conversation  of  the  kind  stated  by  the  baron  did  take  place  at  the  con- 
ference at  Yorktown;  as  the  services  rendered  by  him  to  the  United  States 
are  acknowledged  to  have  been  of  a  very  signal  and  very  meritorious  nature ; 
as  the  expectations  alleged  to  have  been  signified  by  him,  in  the  conference, 
are  all  of  them  reasonable  in  themselves,  being  nothing  more  than  that  his 
necessary  expenses,  while  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  should  be  de- 
frayed by  them;  and  that,  in  case  they  should  establish  their  independence, 
and  he  should  be  successful  in  his  endeavors  to  serve  them,  that  he  should 
receive  an  indemnification  for  the  income  he  had  relinquished  in  coming  to 
this  country,  and  to  such  marks  of  the  generosity  of  the  Government  as  its 
justice  should  dictate.  The  Secretary  is  of  the  opinion  that,  whether  the 
transaction  relied  upon  by  the  baron  be  deemed  to  have  the  force  of  a  contract 
or  not,  it  will  be  most  consistent  with  the  dignity  and  equity  of  the  United 
States  to  admit  it  as  the  basis  of  a  final  adjustment  of  his  claims. 

Should  this  opinion  appear  well  founded,  it  will  remain  to  designate  the 
rule  by  which  the  necessary  expenses  of  the  memorialist  are  to  be  adjusted. 
Taking  it  for  granted  that  his  actual  expenses  will  not  be  deemed  a  proper 
one,  there  occurs  to  the  Secretary  no  better  criterion  than  the  current  allow- 
ances annexed  to  the  stations  he  filled.  This  excludes  the  half -pay  or  com- 
mutation. It  is  presumed  that  the  current  allowances  to  the  officers  of  the 
American  army,  in  general,  were  regulated  wholly  with  a  view  to  have  their 
present  support,  according  to  their  respective  situations,  and  the  half-pay 
granted  as  a  future  reward. 

According  to  this  principle,  the  Secretary  has  caused  an  account  to  be  stated, 
which  is  hereunto  annexed,  in  which  the  memorialist  is  credited  with  his 
emoluments  as  major  general  and  inspector  general  (exclusive  of  half-pay 
or  commutation),  and  with  an  annuity  of  five  hundred  and  eighty  guineas 
(being  the  amount  of  the  income  stated  to  have  been  relinquished  by  him) 
from  the  time  he  left  Europe  to  the  last  of  December,  1789,  with  interest  at 
six  per  cent  per  annum;  and  is  charged  with  all  moneys,  under  whatever 
denomination,  received  by  him  from  the  United  States,  with  interest  at  the 
like  rate;  upon  which  statement  there  is  a  balance  in  his  favor  for  seven  thou- 
sand three  hundred  and  ninety-six  dollars  and  seventy-four  ninetieths. 

In  addition  to  this,  he  would  be  entitled,  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  to  the 
yearly  sum  of  five  hundred  and  eighty  guineas  as  a  continuation  of  the  indem- 
nity for  the  income  relinquished;  and  to  such  reward  as  the  Government, 


Proceedings  in  Congress  127 

in  its  discretion,  should  think  fit  to  allow,  for  which  purpose  a  moderate  grant 
of  land,  if  deemed  expedient,  would  suffice. 

The  Secretary  begs  leave  further  to  state,  that  there  is  good  ground  to  believe 
that  the  above-mentioned  balance  will  be  short  of  a  sufficient  sum  to  discharge 
the  debts  now  owing  by  the  memorialist,  and  contracted  partly  to  enable  him 
to  come  to  this  country,  and  partly  for  his  subsistence  here;  and,  in  the  last 
place,  to  observe  that  the  situation  of  the  memorialist,  who  (being  a  foreigner) 
voluntarily  came  to  offer  his  services  to  the  United  States  in  a  critical  and 
perilous  moment,  and  who,  from  the  circumstances  of  his  having  been  a  for- 
eigner, is  less  likely  to  participate  in  the  collateral  rewards  which  in  numerous 
instances  await  those  who  have  distinguished  themselves  in  the  American 
revolution,  (while  he  cannot,  like  many  other  foreign  officers,  look  for  rewards 
elsewhere,)  gives  a  peculiarity  to  his  case  which  strengthens  his  other  preten- 
sions. That  it  appears  unequivocally  that  his  services  have  been  of  a  nature 
peculiarly  valuable  and  interesting  to  the  American  cause,  and  such  as  furnish 
weighty  considerations,  as  well  public  as  personal,  for  rescuing  him  from  the 
indigence  in  which  he  is  now  involved,  and  from  the  still  greater  extremities 
with  which  he  is  threatened.  A  settlement  on  the  principles  suggested  in 
this  report  will  terminate  all  the  claims  of  the  memorialist  on  the  United  States 
in  a  manner  equally  satisfactory  to  him,  and  honorable  to  them. 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 

ALEXANDER  HAMILTON, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

MONDAY,  APRIL  19,  1790 

The  report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  on  the  memo- 
rial of  the  Baron  STEUBEN,  was  read  a  second  time.  This 
report  was  lengthy;  the  reading  and  discussion  employed 
the  attention  of  the  House  this  day.  The  result  was  the 
adoption  of  a  motion  introduced  by  Mr.  Gerry,  "That  a 
committee  be  appointed  to  report  a  bill,  or  resolutions,  in 
conformity  to  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury". 
The  committee  appointed  consisted  of  Messrs.  Gerry,  Wads- 
worth,  Vinning,  Lawrence,  and  Smith  of  South  Carolina. 

FRIDAY,  APRIL  30,  1790 

Mr.  Gerry,  from  the  Committee  appointed  for  the  purpose, 
presented  a  bill  for  finally  adjusting  the  claims  of  FREDERICK 
WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  4,  1790 

The  House  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole 
on  the  bill  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claim  of 
FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN,  Mr.  Livermore  in  the  Chair. 


128  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

Mr.  Stone  moved  that  the  report  of  the  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury  on  the  Baron's  memorial  should  be  read;  the  Clerk 
read  the  same.  The  committee  proceeded  in  the  discussion 
of  the  bill. 

The  clause  which  proposes  an  annuity  for  life  was  objected 
to.  Several  amendments  were  proposed  and  lost.  A 
lengthy  debate  was  supported  on  other  propositions,  but  a 
motion  for  the  committee's  rising  prevented  a  decision. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  6,  1790 

The  House  again  resolved  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the 
Whole  on  the  bill  for  adjusting  the  claim  of  Baron  STEUBEN, 
Mr.  Livermore  in  the  Chair.  After  some  time  spent  on  the 
bill,  the  committee  rose,  and  reported  it  to  the  House  without 
amendment.  The  bill  was  ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  7,  1790 

The  House  proceeded  to  consider  the  bill  for  finally  ad- 
justing and  satisfying  the  claims  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM 
DE  STEUBEN,  which  lay  on  the  table. 

Mr.  Page  (of  Virginia)  made  the  following  remarks,  which 
is  believed  to  be  the  only  speech  reported  on  this  subject: 
"Mr.  SPEAKER: 

*  *  *  Sir,  this  illustrious  veteran  offered  his  serv- 
ices on  such  generous  terms,  and  served  us  so  essentially, 
that  I  shall  blush  for  Congress  should  the  ideas  of  some 
gentlemen  now  prevail.  It  is  unworthy  of  Congress, 
after  having  so  long  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  those  serv- 
ices, now  to  be  thus  coldly  scrutinizing  the  terms  on 
which  he  offered  them,  and  speaking  of  them  as  of  little 
importance.  I  shall  weigh  them  not  with  the  dollars  pro- 
posed; they  are  far  beyond  any  sum  which  we  can  give. 
*  *  *  If  I  should  be  at  liberty  to  propose  a  compensa- 
tion for  the  sacrifices  he  made  by  coming  to  America,  and 
serving  in  her  war,  and  to  recompense  him  for  his  great 
services,  I  am  sure  I  shall  propose  a  much  larger  sum  than 
has  yet  been  talked  of. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  129 

"Sir,  had  the  Baron  stipulated  to  receive  but  2  per  cent 
on  the  articles  under  his  direction,  or  I  may  say  on  what  he 
saved,  he  would  be  entitled  to  much  more  than  is  now  pro- 
posed to  be  given  him.  The  economy  he  introduced  into 
the  army  was  the  occasion  of  an  immense  saving.  Who 
can  say  now  what  was  saved  in  arms,  accoutrements,  and 
ammunition,  and  by  the  reduction  of  baggage  and  forage? 
I  have  been  told  that  officers,  who  had  loaded  a  wagon 
with  their  baggage,  were  soon  reduced  to  a  single  pack- 
horse. 

"  Some  gentlemen  have  made  light  of  the  discipline  which 
has  been  attributed  to  the  Baron,  and  told  us  of  the  affairs  of 
Bunker's  Hill,  Trenton,  Princeton,  and  Germantown.  It 
was  true  these  were  brilliant  actions;  but  the  member  from 
South  Carolina  (Mr.  Smith)  and  the  member  from  Delaware 
had  replied  fully  to  this  observation.  They  well  observed, 
that  brilliant  as  those  actions  were,  valor  without  discipline 
is  often  vain,  and  may  lead  only  to  destruction;  that  the 
commander  in  chief  did  wonders  without  the  Baron,  and 
(they  might  have  added)  he  was  wonderful  in  resources,  and 
'  in  himself  a  host.'  But  we  should  not  now  consider  what 
the  commander  in  chief  did  before  he  had  the  Baron's  assist- 
ance, but  what  he  did  with  his  assistance,  and  what  use  he 
made  of  his  services;  and  to  this,  as  far  as  relates  to  the 
Baron,  he  has  repeatedly  and  generously  borne  ample  tes- 
timony. 

"  Sir,  the  Baron,  as  Adjutant-General  and  Director-Gen- 
eral, was  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  purpose  of  the  Ameri- 
can Army.  Having  served  twenty-two  years  hi  the  Prus- 
sian army,  which  Americans  had  been  taught  to  believe  was 
the  best  disciplined  in  the  world,  his  discipline  was  more 
readily  embraced,  and  more  confidence  reposed  in  it  than 
would  have  been  the  case  had  almost  any  other  man,  of  any 
other  nation,  undertaken  that  great  task.  The  praise  now 
given  to  the  Baron  is  no  disparagement  therefore  to  other 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


officers.  The  Commander-in-chief  stood  in  need  of  an  Ad- 
jutant like  him,  from  the  peculiar  situation  of  our  army, 
and  has  acknowledged  his  services;  therefore  it  does  not 
become  us  to  speak  of  them  as  unimportant. 

***** 

"Sir,  I  have  asked  officers,  and  some  of  them  now  in  this 
House,  whether  I  have  misunderstood  or  overrated  the 
Baron's  claim,  and  I  have  been  constantly  told  that  I  did 
not.  Though  I  had  not  the  honor  of  being  in  the  army,  I 
was  well  informed  by  my  correspondents  there  of  many 
important  circumstances;  and  on  inquiring  what  were  the 
effects  produced  by  the  new  Adjutant  and  Director-General 
(the  Baron  STEUBEN),  I  was  told  that  they  were  visible  in 
many  economical  arrangements,  in  dispositions  of  corps,  in 
maneuvering,  in  marches,  in  encampments,  and  particu- 
larly in  more  silent  and  rapid  movements  and  preparations 
for  action.  I  was  told  that  when  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette, 
with  a  detachment  under  his  command,  was  in  danger  of 
being  cut  off  on  his  return  to  the  army,  and  the  Commander- 
in-chief  was  determined  to  support  that  invaluable  officer, 
the  whole  army  was  under  arms  and  ready  to  march  in  less 
than  fifteen  minutes  from  the  time  the  signal  was  given. 

"Sir,  the  effect  of  this  discipline  was  seen  in  the  marches 
of  our  army;  they  passed  rivers  in  less  time  than  the  best 
troops  in  Europe  could.  Those  excellent  French  troops, 
which  served  with  them  in  the  campaign  of  1781,  were  in- 
ferior to  them  in  this  respect.  The  superiority  of  our 
troops,  as  to  rapidity  of  movement,  was  seen  in  the  attacks 
on  the  two  redoubts  of  Yorktown,  in  Virginia. 

"We  have  been  asked,  what  will  our  officers  say  to  this 
vote  in  favor  of  the  Baron?  I  will  venture  to  say,  sir, 
they  will  be  pleased  with  it.  They  acknowledge  the  obli- 
gations they  were  under  to  that  great  man;  they  view  his 
circumstances  in  the  same  light  as  that  gallant  officer  does, 
who  is  now  the  Secretary,  and  who  drew  the  report  on 
which  the  bill  before  you  is  founded,  and  which  does  honor 
to  his  heart." 


Proceedings  in  Congress  131 

By  a  vote  of  28  yeas  to  21  nays,  the  House  struck  from 
the  bill  the  section  providing  that  there  be  allowed  to 
STEUBEN  the  pay  and  other  emoluments  of  major  general 
and  inspector  general  from  March  10,  1778  to  April  15,  1784; 
an  annuity  for  life  of  $2,706  to  commence  October  i,  1777; 

and  thousand  acres  of  land  in  the  Western 

Territory  of  the  United  States. 

A  motion  was  then  made  and  seconded;  to  insert,  in  lieu 
of  the  said  words  so  stricken  out,  the  following  clause,  to 
wit: 

That,  in  order  to  make  full  and  adequate  compensation  to  FREDERICK 
WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN,  as  well  for  the  sacrifices  and  eminent  services,  made 
and  rendered  to  the  United  States  during  the  late  war,  as  for  the  commuta- 
tion or  half  pay,  promised  by  the  resolutions  of  Congress,  there  be  paid  to  the 
said  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN,  the  sum  of  seven  thousand  dollars, 
in  addition  to  the  moneys  already  received  by  him,  and  also  an  annuity 

of dollars  during  life,  to  commence  on  the  first  day  of  January  last, 

to  be  paid  in  quarterly  payments,  at  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States; 
which  several  sums  shall  be  considered  in  full  discharge  of  all  claims  and 
demands  whatever  of  the  said  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN  against 
the  United  States. 

And,  on  the  question  being  put  thereupon, 

It  was  resolved  in  the  affirmative. 

And  then  the  said  bill,  being  further  amended  at  the 
Clerk's  table  was,  together  with  the  amendments  ordered  to 
be  engrossed,  and  read  the  third  time  on  Monday  next. 

MONDAY,  MAY  10,  1790 

The  bill  for  adjusting  and  settling  the  claims  of  FREDER- 
ICK WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN  was  brought  in,  engrossed,  and 
read  the  third  time.  The  gratuity  in  land  being  omitted  in 
the  bill,  Mr.  Smith,  of  South  Carolina,  supposing  the  omis- 
sion to  be  an  error,  moved  that  the  bill  be  recommitted,  in 
order  to  reinsert  the  clause.  This  motion,  after  a  short 
discussion,  was  lost. 

The  blank,  in  the  clause  stating  the  annuity,  Mr.  Smith, 
of  South  Carolina,  moved  should  be  filled  up  with  2,700 
dollars. 

After  some  debate  the  yeas  and  nays  were  taken,  and  the 
motion  was  negatived,  as  follows:  Yeas,  25;  nays,  30. 


132  Stain*  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

A  motion  was  made  to  fix  the  annuity  at  2,500  dollars. 
This  was  negatived — yeas  25,  nays  30; 

As  was  a  motion  for  2,400  dollars — yeas  25,  nays  30. 

A  motion  for  2,000  dollars  was  agreed  to — yeas  3 1 ,  nays  24. 

The  bill  being  completed,  on  the  question,  Shall  the  bill 
pass  ?  It  was  carried  in  the  affirmative — the  yeas  and  nays 
being  as  follows:  Yeas,  34;  nays,  21. 

SENATE 

MONDAY,  MAY  10,  1790 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  informed 
the  Senate,  that  they  have  passed  a  bill  for  finally  adjusting 
and  satisfying  the  claims  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEU- 
BEN; to  which  they  desire  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate. 

The  bill  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims  of 
FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN  was  read  the  first  time. 

Ordered,  That  this  bill  have  the  second  reading  tomorrow. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  11,  1790 

The  Senate  resumed  the  second  reading  of  the  bill  for 
finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims  of  FREDERICK 
WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN. 

Ordered,  That  it  be  committed  to  Messrs.  Maclay,  Strong, 
Izard,  Ellsworth,  and  Johnston. 

MONDAY,  MAY  24,  1790 

Mr.  Maclay  reported  from  the  committee  appointed  May 
i  ith,  on  the  bill  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims 
of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN. 

Ordered,  That  this  report  lie  for  consideration  until 
tomorrow. 

TUESDAY,  MAY  25,  1790 

The  Senate  proceeded  to  consider  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  bill  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the 
claims  of  FREDERICK  DE  STEUBEN,  which  is  as  follows: 

In  the  second  line,  strike  out  from  the  word  "order", 
inclusive,  to  the  end  of  the  bill  and  insert,  "  consideration  of 
the  eminent  services  of  the  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  rendered  to 


Proceedings  in  Congress  133 

the  United  States  during  the  late  war,  there  be  paid  to  him 
an  annuity  of  one  thousand  dollars,  to  commence  on  the 
first  day  of  January  last,  to  be  paid  in  quarterly  payments 
at  the  Treasury  of  the  United  States:"  and,  after  debate, 
the  further  consideration  thereof  was  postponed  until 
tomorrow. 

WEDNESDAY,  MAY  26,  1790 

The  Senate  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  report  of 
the  committee  on  the  bill  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying 
the  claims  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN. 

And,  on  the  question  to  agree  to  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee, the  yeas  and  nays  being  required  by  one-fifth  of  the 
Senators  present,  were:  Yeas,  8;  nays,  16. 

So  it  passed  in  the  negative. 

On  motion  that  the  opinion  of  the  Senate  be  taken, 
whether  two  thousand  dollars,  line  yth,  shall  stand  in  the 
bill;  the  yeas  and  nays  being  required  by  one-fifth  of  the 
Senators  present;  Yeas,  12;  nays,  12. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  equal,  the  Vice  President  deter- 
mined the  question  in  the  affirmative. 

On  the  motion  that  these  words,  "  the  sum  of  seven  thou- 
sand dollars,  in  addition  to  the  moneys  already  received  by 
him,  and  also,"  be  stricken  out  of  the  bill;  the  yeas  and  nays 
being  required  by  one-fifth  of  the  Senators  present:  Yeas, 
12;  nays,  12. 

The  number  being  equal,  the  Vice  President  determined 
the  question  in  the  negative. 

Ordered,  That  tomorrow  be  assigned  for  the  third  reading 
of  this  bill. 

THURSDAY,  MAY  27,  1790 

The  Senate  proceeded  to  the  third  reading  of  the  bill  pro- 
viding for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims  of 
FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN. 

On  motion  to  strike  out  the  words  "the  sum  of  7,000 
dollars,  in  addition  to  moneys  already  received  by  him,  and 
also  " : 

It  passed  in  the  affirmative. 


134  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

On  motion  to  insert,  line  yth,  "five  hundred",  after  the 
words  "  two  thousand  " : 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  required  by  one-fifth  of  the 
Senators  present:  Yeas,  12,  nays,  12. 

The  yeas  and  nays  being  equal,  the  Vice  President  deter- 
mined the  question  in  the  affirmative:  whereupon 

Resolved,  That  this  bill  do  pass  with  the  amendments. 

Ordered,  That  the  Secretary  acquaint  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives herewith,  and  request  their  concurrence  in  the 
amendments . 

HOUSE 

THURSDAY,  MAY  27,  1790 

A  message  was  received  from  the  Senate,  informing  the 
House  that  they  had  passed  Baron  STEUBEN 's  bill  with 
amendments.  The  said  amendments  were  laid  on  the  table. 
The  Senate  propose  to  increase  the  annuity  from  two  thou- 
sand to  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  and  to  disallow 
the  payment  of  the  seven  thousand  dollars. 

FRIDAY,  MAY  28,  1790 

The  House  took  up  the  amendments  proposed  by  the 
Senate  to  the  bill  for  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claim  of 
FREDERICK  WILUAM  DE  STEUBEN.  Mr.  Goodhue  moved  that 
the  consideration  thereof  be  postponed  to  the  next  session. 
This  motion  was  opposed  by  Messrs.  Gerry,  Vining,  Smith, 
of  South  Carolina,  Page,  Carroll,  and  Livermore,  and  being 
put  was  negatived. 

The  several  amendments  were  agreed  to.  That  which 
proposes,  after  striking  out  the  seven  thousand  dollars,  to 
add  five  hundred  dollars  to  the  annuity,  was,  on  motion  of 
Mr.  Thatcher,  determined  by  yeas  and  nays.  Yeas,  32; 
nays,  25. 

SENATE 

MONDAY,  MAY  31,  1790 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  informed  the 
Senate,  that  they  have  agreed  to  the  amendments  of  the 
Senate  to  the  bill  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the 
claims  of  FREDERICK  WILUAM  DE  STEUBEN. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  135 

HOUSE 

FRIDAY,  JUNE  4,  1790 

A  message  was  received  from  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  by  Mr.  Lear,  his  Secretary,  notifying  that  the  Presi- 
dent approves  of  the  following  acts:  One  entitled  "An  act 
for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims  of  FREDERICK 
WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN." 

SENATE 

MONDAY,  JUNE  7,  1790 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  Mr. 
Beckley,  their  Clerk: 

Mr.  President:  I  am  directed  to  inform  the  Senate,  that 
the  President  of  the  United  States  did,  on  the  4th  of  June, 
1790,  approve  of,  and  affix  his  signature  to,  "An  act  for 
finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims  of  FREDERICK 
WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN." 

The  act  (6  Stats.  L.,  2)  follows: 

An  Act  for  finally  adjusting  and  satisfying  the  claims  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM 

DE  STEUBEN1 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  Congress  assembled,  That,  in  order  to  make  full  and  adequate  com- 
pensation to  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN,  for  the  sacrifices  and  eminent 
services  made  and  rendered  to  the  United  States  during  the  late  war,  there  be 
paid  to  the  said  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN,  an  annuity  of  two  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars,  during  life,  to  commence  on  the  first  day  of  January  last; 
to  be  paid  in  quarterly  payments,  at  the  treasury  of  the  United  States;  which 
said  annuity  shall  be  considered  in  full  discharge  of  all  claims  and  demands 
whatever,  of  the  said  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  DE  STEUBEN  against  the  United 
States. 
(Signed) 

FREDERICK  AUGUSTUS  MUHLENBERG, 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
JOHN  ADAMS, 

Vice  President  of  the  United  States  and 

President  of  the  Senate. 
Approved,  June  4,  1790. 
G?  WASHINGTON, 

President  of  the  United  States. 

i  This  was  the  first  private  pension  act  passed  by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  and  the 
third  private  act  of  any  nature  passed  by  the  First  Congress. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH  CONGRESS,  FIRST  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Congressional  Record] 

HOUSE 

MAY  22,  1902 

A  bill  (H.  R.  14644)  for  the  erection  of  an  equestrian 
statue  to  the  memory  of  Baron  STEUBEN  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  introduced  by  Mr.  Bartholdt,  of  Missouri,  and 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  the  Library. 

The  bill  (H.  R.  14644)  follows: 

[H.  R.  14644,  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  first  session] 

In  the  House  of  Representatives 
May  22,  1902 

Mr.  Bartholdt  introduced  the  following  bill ;  which  was  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

A  BIU,  For  the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  to  the  memory  of  Baron  STBUBEN  at 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States 
of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  sum  of  $50,000,  or  so  much  thereof 
as  may  be  necessary,  be,  and  is  hereby,  appropriated,  out  of  any  money 
in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  to  be  used  for  the  erection  of  an 
equestrian  statue  to  the  memory  of  Baron  STEUBEN  at  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  and  for  grading  and  inclosing  with  stone  curbing  and  iron  fencing  the 
site  upon  which  said  equestrian  statue  shall  be  erected,  which  sum  shall  be 
expended  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War  or  such  officer  as  he 
may  designate:  Provided,  That  the  money  hereby  appropriated  shall  be 
drawn  from  time  to  time  only  as  may  be  required  during  the  progress  of  the 
work  and  upon  the  requisition  of  the  Secretary  of  War:  And  provided  further, 
That  a  site  for  said  monument  shall  be  selected  by  the  Secretary  of  War 
and  the  two  chairmen,  respectively,  of  the  Senate  and  House  Committees 
on  the  Library,  and  that  no  part  of  the  sum  hereby  appropriated  shall  be 
expended  until  a  suitable  site  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  for  the 
erection  of  said  equestrian  statue  shall  be  selected. 

JUNE  14,  1902 

Mr.  McCleary,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  to 
which  was  referred  the  bill  of  the  House  (H.  R.   14644) 
for  the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  to  the  memory 
136 


Proceedings  in  Congress  137 

of  Baron  STEUBEN  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  reported  the 
same  with  amendments,  accompanied  by  a  report  (No. 
2497),  which  said  bill  and  report  were  referred  to  the 
Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the  state  of  the  Union. 
The  report  (No.  2497)  follows: 

[House  Report  No.  4497,  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  first  session] 

EQUESTRIAN  STATUE  TO  MEMORY  OF  BARON  STEUBEN 

JUNE  14,  1902. — Reported  with  amendments,  committed  to  the  Committee 
of  the  Whole  House  on  the  state  of  the  Union,  and  ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  McCleary,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  submitted  the  following 
report  (to  accompany  H.  R.  14644): 

The  Committee  on  the  Library,  to  whom  was  referred  the  bill  (H.  R.  14644) 
for  the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  to  the  memory  of  Baron  STEUBEN 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report  and  recom- 
mend that  said  bill  do  pass  with  the  following  amendments: 

On  line  8,  page  i,  strike  out  the  words,  "and  iron  fencing,"  and  on  line  i, 
page  2,  after  the  word  "site,"  insert  the  words  "and  design." 

A  century  and  a  quarter  have  passed  since  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  AUGUSTUS 
HENRY  FERDINAND  VON  STEUBEN,  or  Baron  STEUBEN,  as  he  is  more  com- 
monly called,  came  to  America  to  offer  his  services  to  the  young  Republic 
struggling  for  existence,  and  yet  the  Nation  that  he  served  so  well  has  done 
practically  nothing  to  indicate  that  it  appreciates  those  services.  Even  in 
our  histories  he  has  not  been  accorded  the  position  to  which  he  is  entitled. 
Indeed,  there  appears  to  be  but  one  extended  biography  of  STEUBEN  avail- 
able—that of  Frederick  Kapp,  from  which  the  matter  for  this  report  has  been 
mainly  obtained. 

This  failure  of  history  to  give  STEUBEN  due  consideration  has  been  thus 
explained  by  Representative  Bartholdt: 

"  There  is  reason,  perhaps,  for  the  failure  of  historians  to  accord  a  fitting 
position  to  STEUBEN  in  the  record  of  the  struggle  of  the  American  Colonies 
for  independence,  however  regrettable  the  fact  may  be  to  the  impartial 
student  of  the  man's  worth  and  work.  Readers  of  history  are  attracted  to 
the  part  played  by  men  who  lead  battalions  in  stirring  charges,  to  the  heroes 
in  action  on  the  battle  fields,  just  as  the  patrons  of  a  theater  applaud  the  star, 
unmindful,  if  not  ignorant,  of  the  importance  of  the  work  of  the  stage  manager 
who  has  furnished  the  settings  for  the  play,  arranged  the  scenic  effects,  and 
made  the  actor's  triumph  possible. 

"STEUBEN  was  the  stage  manager,  as  it  were,  in  the  presentation  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  drama,  and  his  work  has  been  forgotten  in  the  applause 
and  admiration  of  the  incomparable  genius  of  Washington  and  the  dash  and 
daring  of  other  leaders  in  the  field  whose  efforts  resulted  in  brilliant  feats 
of  arms  and  the  achievement  of  American  independence.  Baron  STEUBEN 
worked  behind  the  scenes.  He  took  over  the  ragged  tatterdemalions  of 
Washington  at  Valley  Forge  and,  in  the  face  of  almost  insuperable  obstacles, 
worked  them  into  an  army  that  did  yeoman  service  on  so  many  fields  later. 


138  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

It  was  STEUBEN  who  took  in  charge  the  raw  material,  the  undisciplined 
recruits,  and  developed  an  army  which  for  efficiency  has  challenged  the 
admiration  of  the  world." 

Kapp  thus  epitomizes  the  baron's  life: 

"  Sprung  from  an  old,  noble,  and  military  family  of  Prussia,  as  a  child  he 
accompanied  his  father  in  his  campaign  in  the  Crimea  and  during  his  sojourn 
in  Russia.  As  a  boy  he  was  present  at  the  siege  of  Prague,  and  as  a  youth 
he  entered  the  service  of  Frederick  the  Great,  the  greatest  commander  of  the 
age,  and  fought  with  distinction  in  the  bloodiest  engagements  of  the  Seven 
Years'  War.  Taken  prisoner  by  the  Russians,  he  spent  some  time  at  the 
Court  of  St.  Petersburg,  and,  when  set  at  liberty  by  Peter  III,  he  remained 
until  the  end  of  the  war  attached  to  the  personal  staff  of  the  great  King.  The 
calm  which  succeeded  the  stormy  events  of  his  youth  was  not  destined  to  be 
everlasting.  As  soon  as  prospects  of  fame  and  active  exertions  were  opened 
up  to  him  at  Versailles  he  threw  up  his  agreeable  but  inactive  appointment 
at  home  and  hastened  to  America  to  devote  his  military  knowledge  and 
experience  to  the  conquest  of  American  liberty,  and  to  fight  under  George 
Washington  for  the  independence  of  the  United  States.  His  efforts  were 
crowned  with  success;  and  after  the  termination  of  the  war  STEUBEN  finally 
retired  into  private  life  to  end  a  career  devoted  to  the  public  good,  in  hon- 
orable but  unassuming  poverty,  in  a  rough  log  house  in  the  backwoods." 

The  career  of  Baron  STEUBEN  is  one  of  absorbing  interest. 

Prague  and  Kunersdorf,  St.  Petersburg  and  Berlin,  Versailles  and  Phila- 
delphia, Yorktown  and  New  York  are  the  landmarks  of  this  existence. 

STEUBEN  was  born  November  15,  1730,  at  Magdeburg,  a  large  Prussian 
fortress  on  the  Elbe.  At  that  time  his  father  was  captain  in  the  Prussian 
engineers,  and  when  he  was  called  to  service  in  the  Crimea  and  Cronstadt 
the  son  accompanied  him.  In  1740  he  returned  with  his  father  to  Prussia. 
In  1744,  when  scarcely  14  years  of  age,  during  the  War  of  the  Austrian  Suc- 
cession, he  was  present  at  the  protracted  and  sanguinary  siege  of  Prague. 
Thus  from  his  earliest  years  STEUBEN  was  familiar  with  soldiers  and  things 
pertaining  to  war.  In  the  Seven  Years'  War  he  so  greatly  distinguished 
himself  as  to  attract  the  attention  and  approval  of  King  Frederick  the  Great, 
who  appointed  STEUBEN  as  aid-de-camp  on  his  personal  staff.  He  was  one 
of  six  talented  young  officers  whom  the  King  personally  instructed  and 
initiated  into  the  most  abstruse  branches  of  the  military  art.  The  distinc- 
tion of  being  thus  chosen  is  convincing  proof  of  STEUBEN  "s  merit  and  promise. 
With  Frederick  the  Great  neither  high  birth  nor  family  influence  had  any 
weight  in  the  selection  of  his  military  favorites;  talent  and  fitness  were  the 
only  recommendation  to  his  favor. 

In  1764,  having  resigned  from  the  service  of  Prussia,  STEUBEN  accepted 
the  office  of  grand  marshal  of  the  court  of  the  Prince  of  Hohenzollern- 
Hechingen,  the  honorable  and  responsible  duties  of  which  he  discharged 
with  great  credit  for  some  10  years.  For  some  years  the  dignified  tranquillity 
of  this  court  life  furnished  agreeable  repose  for  him,  tired  as  he  was  of  the 
bivouac  and  the  camp.  But  it  could  not  satisfy  his  ardent  and  impetuous 
temperament  or  induce  him  to  renounce  the  active  duties  from  which  for  a 
season  he  had  withdrawn.  So  he  began  to  look  around  for  a  fitting  oppor- 
tunity to  reenter  active  military  service. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  139 

The  Prussian  officers  of  that  time  were  so  fully  convinced  of  their  impor- 
tance and  superiority  over  all  other  troops  that  they  always  expected  to 
receive  higher  rank  than  that  which  they  had  under  the  King,  and  there- 
fore very  often  rejected  propositions  made  to  them  by  foreign  powers  who 
were  anxious  to  profit  by  their  knowledge  and  experience,  but  were  unwilling 
to  excite  jealousy  among  their  own  officers  by  placing  foreigners  over  their 
heads. 

Fortunately  for  the  United  States,  owing  to  these  conditions,  STEUBEN 
did  not  find  it  easy,  notwithstanding  his  excellent  reputation,  to  secure  a 
position  that  he  felt  to  be  worthy  of  him  and  his  training. 

In  1777  was  opened  up  to  him,  in  a  manner  wholly  unexpected,  the 
opportunity  which  was  to  crown  his  life.  On  his  way  to  England  to  visit 
some  friends,  he  went  to  Paris.  Arriving  there  on  May  2,  he  sought  an 
interview  with  Count  de  St.  Germain,  an  old  friend  of  his,  whom  the  King 
of  France  had  recently  appointed  minister  of  war.  The  count  sent  him 
word  that  he  would  rather  not  see  him  at  Versailles,  but  that  he  would  be 
"glad  to  meet  him  in  three  days  at  the  Paris  Arsenal,  where  he  intended 
to  have  a  particular  conversation  with  him,  and  that  he  would  send  an  officer 
to  conduct  him  to  the  place  of  rendezvous." 

At  the  time  designated,  Count  de  St.  Germain  arrived  in  Paris,  sent  for 
STEUBEN,  and  received  him  in  his  cabinet.  The  count  said  that  he  had 
intended  to  write  to  the  baron,  "to  submit  a  project  which  he  thought 
would  prove  very  advantageous,  and  for  the  execution  of  which  he  thought 
the  baron  the  proper  person."  Then,  taking  a  map  and  pointing  to  America, 
he  said,  "Here  is  your  field  of  battle.  Here  is  a  Republic  which  you  must 
serve.  You  are  the  very  man  which  she  needs  at  this  moment.  If  you 
succeed,  your  fortune  is  made,  and  you  will  acquire  more  glory  than  you 
could  hope  for  in  Europe  in  a  great  many  years  to  come."  He  then  entered 
into  a  minute  description  of  the  situation  of  the  United  States,  adding  that 
"it  would  be  a  meritorious  office  to  assist  in  building  up  the  grand  edifice 
of  that  rising  Republic." 

The  count  showed  to  STEUBEN  the  resources  which  the  Americans  had, 
and  indicated  the  support  which  they  might  expect  indirectly  from  France 
and  Spain,  even  intimating  the  possibility  later  of  an  open  alliance  between 
those  countries  and  the  United  States. 

Then,  with  great  discernment  and  perfect  frankness,  he  turned  to  the 
other  side  of  the  picture  and  detailed  to  STEUBEN  the  many  disadvantages 
under  which  the  United  States  labored,  showing  that  the  American  Army 
had  no  regular  formation;  that,  their  enlistments  being  for  very  short 
periods,  their  Army  had  no  order  or  method  of  keeping  the  corps  together; 
that  the  loss  of  the  men  not  only  continually  destroyed  the  formation  of 
the  corps,  but  caused  the  most  terrible  destruction  of  horses,  arms,  clothing, 
and  every  species  of  camp  equipage;  that  the  consumption  of  these  articles 
was  enormous;  that  they  were  in  want  of  some  officer  of  experience  to  be 
charged  with  the  details,  who  was  not  only  acquainted  with  the  regular 
formation  of  an  army,  but  who  could  trace  out  for  them  a  system  of  economy 
for  the  disbursements  of  the  Army,  and,  by  a  rigid  inspection,  prevent  those 
abuses  which  might  otherwise  tend  to  the  destruction  of  the  country. 


140  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

He  added  that  "if  some  such  order  were  not  established,  the  resources 
of  the  United  States  must  very  soon  be  exhausted,  nor  would  it  be  in  the 
power  of  their  friends  in  Europe  to  supply  so  enormous  an  expense;  that 
among  all  the  foreign  officers  who  had  gone  to  America  there  was  not  one 
who  possessed  sufficient  information  on  these  points,  and  that  the  com- 
mander in  chief  and  Congress  would  be  extremely  happy  to  meet  with  an 
officer  of  experience  to  assist  in  establishing  order,  which  was  so  indispen- 
sably necessary." 

St.  Germain  had  been  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Denmark.  At  the 
close  of  the  Seven  Years'  War,  while  still  in  the  Danish  service,  he  had  met 
STEUBEN  and  had  formed  a  high  opinion  of  the  sound  judgment  and  military 
ability  of  King  Frederick's  aid-de-camp.  So  St.  Germain,  who  had  great 
admiration  for  Prussian  military  methods,  had  implicit  faith  in  the  com- 
petency of  STEUBEN  to  perform  for  the  Army  of  the  United  States  the  pe- 
culiar and  surpassingly  valuable  service  which  it  then  so  greatly  needed. 

STEUBEN  was  no  longer  young.  He  could  not  speak  the  English  language, 
except  very  imperfectly.  He  was  occupying  an  honorable  and  comfortable 
position  at  home. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  outlook  in  America  was  not  specially  alluring. 
Franklin  and  Deane,  the  American  agents  in  France,  could  not  even  provide 
for  his  expenses  to  the  United  States.  Nor  could  they  assure  him  such  an 
appointment  in  the  Army  as  would  enable  him  to  render  the  services  so 
much  needed.  He  found  that  the  preferment  of  foreigners  in  the  military 
service  had  been  a  cause  of  discontent  in  the  American  Army.  As  he 
afterwards  wrote  to  Alexander  Hamilton: 

"Any  conditions  proposed  by  me  under  these  circumstances,  tending  to 
assure  me  a  recompense  proportioned  to  my  sacrifices  and  my  services,  would 
have  rendered  all  my  negotiations  abortive .  But  proposals  to  serve  the  United 
States  as  volunteer,  without  rank  or  pay,  could  give  no  umbrage. " 

STEUBEN  gave  the  entire  matter  due  consideration,  then  he  deliberately 
chose  to  leave  home  and  kindred  and  powerful  connections  for  a  life  of  danger, 
privation,  and  uncertainty  in  a  strange  land,  with  whose  language  even  he 
was  unacquainted. 

He  left  Europe,  where  he  had  won  hard-earned  distinction  and  fame — 
where  if  he  was  not  opulent  he  had  at  least  a  sufficient  competence — to  serve 
a  country  engaged  in  an  obstinate,  exhausting,  and  hitherto  unsuccessful 
war,  where  his  prospects  of  professional  advancement  were  by  no  means 
assured,  and  which  offered  no  inducements  of  a  pecuniary  or  material  nature. 
Confident  in  himself,  urged  by  high  and  generous  motives,  he  determined  to 
offer  his  sword  to  a  nation  struggling  for  her  rights  and  liberties.  He  made 
no  conditions.  He  bargained  for  no  reward. 

Having  borrowed  from  Beaumarchais  the  money  needed  to  fit  him  out, 
and  having  secured  from  Franklin,  Deane,  and  Beaumarchais  letters  of 
introduction  to  Gen.  Washington,  Samuel  Adams,  President  Laurens,  Robert 
Morris,  and  other  leading  Americans,  STEUBEN,  on  September  26,  1777, 
started  from  Marseille  for  the  United  States. 

STEUBEN 's  name  was  entered  on  the  ship's  books  as  Frank,  and  under 
this  name  the  French  ministers  gave  him  dispatches  to  the  Marquis  de 


Proceedings  in  Congress  141 

Bouilly,  governor  of  Martinique,  in  order  to  guard  against  the  evil  conse- 
quences of  capture  by  the  British  cruisers. 

Arriving  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  on  the  first  day  of  December,  1777, 
STEUBEN,  on  December  6,  wrote  to  the  Congress  a  letter  which  is  worthy 
of  being  quoted  here  in  its  entirety,  as  illustrating  the  spirit  of  the  man.  It 
was  as  follows: 

"HONORABLE  GENTLEMEN:  The  honor  of  serving  a  nation  engaged  in  de- 
fending its  rights  and  liberties  was  the  motive  that  brought  me  to  this  con- 
tinent. I  ask  neither  riches  nor  titles.  I  am  come  here  from  the  remotest 
end  of  Germany,  at  my  own  expense,  and  have  given  up  honorable  and  lucra- 
tive rank.  I  have  made  no  condition  with  your  deputies  in  France,  nor  shall 
I  make  any  with  you.  My  only  ambition  is  to  serve  you  as  a  volunteer, 
to  deserve  the  confidence  of  your  general  in  chief,  and  to  follow  him  in  all  his 
operations  as  I  have  done  during  seven  campaigns  with  the  King  of  Prussia. 
Two  and  twenty  years  spent  in  such  a  school  seem  to  give  me  a  right  of 
thinking  myself  among  the  number  of  experienced  officers,  and  if  I  am  pos- 
sessed of  the  acquirements  in  the  art  of  war  they  will  be  much  more  prized 
by  me  if  I  can  employ  them  in  the  service  of  a  republic  such  as  I  hope  to 
soon  see  America.  I  should  willingly  purchase  at  the  expense  of  my  blood 
the  honor  of  having  my  name  enrolled  among  those  of  the  defenders  of  your 
liberty.  Your  gracious  acceptance  will  be  sufficient  for  me,  and  I  ask  no 
other  favor  than  to  be  received  among  your  officers.  I  venture  to  hope  that 
you  will  grant  this  my  request,  and  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  send  me 
your  orders  to  Boston,  where  I  shall  await  them  and  take  suitable  measures 
in  accordance." 

In  a  letter  to  Washington,  of  the  same  date,  he  said: 

"SiR:  The  inclosed  copy  of  a  letter,  the  original  of  which  I  shall  have  the 
honor  to  present  to  Your  Excellency,  will  inform  you  of  the  motives  that 
brought  me  over  to  this  land.  I  shall  only  add  to  it  that  the  object  of  my 
greatest  ambition  is  to  render  the  country  all  the  service  in  my  power,  and 
to  deserve  the  title  of  a  citizen  of  America  by  fighting  for  the  cause  of  your 
liberty.  If  the  distinguished  ranks  in  which  I  have  served  in  Europe  should 
be  an  obstacle,  I  had  rather  serve  under  Your  Excellency  as  a  volunteer  than 
to  be  an  object  of  discontent  to  such  deserving  officers  as  have  already  distin- 
guished themselves  among  you.  Such  being  the  sentiments  I  have  always 
professed,  I  dare  hope  that  the  respectable  Congress  of  the  United  States 
of  America  will  accept  my  services.  I  could  say,  moreover,  were  it  not  for 
the  fear  of  offending  your  modesty,  that  Your  Excellency  is  the  only  person 
under  whom,  after  having  served  the  King  of  Prussia,  I  could  wish  to  follow 
a  profession  to  the  study  of  which  I  have  wholly  devoted  myself.  I  intend 
to  go  to  Boston  in  a  few  days,  where  I  shall  present  my  letters  to  Mr.  Hancock, 
Member  of  Congress,  and  there  I  shall  await  Your  Excellency's  orders." 

At  Boston,  STEUBEN  was  entertained  by  John  Hancock,  who  had  just 
retired  from  the  presidency  of  the  Congress,  and  here,  after  waiting  five 
weeks,  he  received  Washington's  answer  to  his  letter.  It  advised  him  to 
report  at  once  to  Congress,  then  sitting  at  York,  Pa.,  since  it  belonged  exclu- 
sively to  that  body  to  enter  into  negotiations  with  him. 

The  fame  of  STEUBEN  had  preceded  himxto  York  and  he  was  cordially 
received  by  Congress.  A  committee  of  three  members  was  appointed  to 


142  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

confer  with  him  and  ascertain  the  conditions  on  which  he  was  willing  to 
serve  the  United  States,  and  whether  he  had  made  any  arrangements  with 
the  American  deputies  in  France.  His  answer  is  pertinent  to  this  report. 

He  said  that  he  had  made  no  agreement  with  them,  nor  was  it  his  inten- 
tion to  accept  any  rank  or  pay;  that  he  wished  to  join  the  Army  as  a  vol- 
unteer, and  to  render  such  services  as  the  commander  in  chief  should  think 
him  capable  of,  adding  that  he  had  no  other  fortune  than  a  revenue  of  about 
600  guineas  per  annum,  arising  from  places  and  posts  of  honor  in  Germany, 
which  he  had  relinquished  to  come  to  this  country;  that  in  consideration 
of  this  he  expected  the  United  States  would  defray  his  necessary  expenses 
while  in  their  service;  that  if,  unhappily,  this  country  should  not  succeed 
in  establishing  their  independence,  or  if  he  should  not  succeed  in  his  en- 
deavors in  their  service,  in  either  of  these  cases  he  should  consider  the  United 
States  as  free  from  any  obligations  toward  him;  but  if,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  United  States  should  be  fortunate  enough  to  establish  their  freedom, 
and  if  his  efforts  should  be  successful,  in  that  case  he  should  expect  a  full 
indemnification  for  the  sacrifice  he  had  made  in  coming  over,  and  such  marks 
of  their  liberality  as  the  justice  of  the  United  States  should  dictate. 

Congress,  through  its  president,  Mr.  Laurens,  accepted  his  generous  propo- 
sition and  directed  him  to  report  to  Gen.  Washington  at  Valley  Forge.  Here 
STEUBEN  began  a  work  the  value  of  which  can  scarcely  be  overestimated. 

In  order  to  understand  the  conditions  which  he  found  at  Valley  Forge  it 
is  necessary  to  recall  that  under  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  then  the  form 
of  union  in  spirit  if  not  in  fact,  the  Government  of  the  United  States  was 
vested  in  a  Congress.  This  Congress  could  not  legislate;  it  could  only  rec- 
ommend. If  money  was  needed  for  the  purposes  of  the  United  States,  the 
Congress  could  not  lay  or  collect  a  dollar  in  the  way  of  taxation.  It  could 
only  apportion  the  amounts  to  be  raised  among  the  several  States  and  ask 
each  to  raise  the  amount  apportioned  to  it.  The  States  could  raise  the  amount 
or  not  as  they  saw  fit.  If  the  United  States  needed  soldiers,  Congress  could  not 
compel  the  service  of  a  single  man.  All  that  Congress  could  do  was  to  call 
upon  the  several  States  to  raise  their  respective  quotas.  To  this  call  the 
several  States  could  respond  or  not  as  they  saw  fit.  The  United  States  had  a 
government  in  name  but  not  in  fact. 

Small  wonder,  then,  that  there  was  lack  of  uniformity  in  the  terms  and 
conditions  of  enlistments,  that  there  was  a  constant  ebb  and  flow  among 
the  men  in  the  ranks,  and  that  there  was  exceedingly  great  difficulty  in  organ- 
izing the  Army  according  to  any  general  order;  that  it  was  hard,  indeed,  to 
make  out  of  the  assembled  men  an  army  at  all. 

The  encampment  at  Valley  Forge,  lasting  through  the  winter  of  1777-78 
and  until  the  i8th  of  the  following  June,  marks  one  of  the  most  trying  periods 
of  the  Revolutionary  War.  Here,  under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances, 
began  the  services  of  Baron  STEUBEN  to  the  American  people.  It  seems 
only  proper  that  STEUBEN 's  view  of  the  situation  should  be  given  in  his 
own  words.  The  following  statements  are  taken  from  a  letter  written  by  him 
from  Valley  Forge : 

"  The  situation  of  affairs  in  general,  and  of  our  army  at  Valley  Forge  in  par- 
ticular, is  too  well  known  to  need  a  description.  My  determination  must 
have  been  very  firm  that  I  did  not  abandon  my  design  when  I  saw  the  troops. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  143 

Matters  had  to  be  remedied,  but  where  to  commence  was  the  great  difficulty. 

In  the  first  place  I  had  to  inform  myself  relative  to  the  military  administration. 

*  *  *  *  * 

"The  general  asked  me  to  give  him  some  statements  concerning  the  ar- 
rangements of  the  departments  and  their  various  branches  in  the  European 
armies.  I  gave  them  to  him,  and,  detailing  therein  the  duties  of  each  depart- 
ment and  of  its  different  branches,  dilated  upon  the  functions  of  the  quarter- 
masters (marechaux  gen^raux  de  logis)  in  particular,  in  which  branch  I  had 
served  myself  for  a  long  time  in  the  Seven  Years'  War.  But  the  English 
system,  bad  as  it  is,  had  already  taken  root.  Each  company  and  quarter- 
master had  a  commission  of  so  much  per  cent  on  all  the  money  expended. 
It  was  natural,  therefore,  that  expense  was  not  spared — that  wants  were 
discovered  where  there  were  none;  and.  it  was  also  natural  that  the  dearest 
articles  were  those  that  suited  the  commissioners  best.  Hence  the  depre- 
ciation of  our  currency;  hence  the  expense  of  so  many  millions. 

"I  pointed  out  to  General  Washington  and  several  Members  of  Congress 
the  advantages  of  the  contract  system.  I  even  drew  up  a  memorandum 
on  the  subject,  which  Colonel  Laurens  translated  into  English,  showing  the 
way  in  which  things  were  contracted  for  in  the  Prussian  and  French  armies. 
But  whether  it  was  that  they  thought  such  a  system  impracticable  in  this 
country,  or  whether  they  were  unable  to  check  the  torrent  of  expense,  things 
remained  as  they  were. 

***** 

"I  directed  my  attention  to  the  condition  of  the  troops,  and  I  found  an 
ample  field,  where  disorder  and  confusion  were  supreme.  As  this  became 
my  principal  object,  I  must  enter  into  some  particular  details. 

"The  effective  strength  of  the  Army  was  divided  into  divisions,  com- 
manded by  major  generals;  into  brigades,  commanded  by  brigadier  generals; 
and  into  regiments,  commanded  by  colonels.  The  number  of  men  in  a 
regiment  was  fixed  by  Congress,  as  well  as  in  a  company — so  many  infantry, 
cavalry,  and  artillery.  But  the  eternal  ebb  and  flow  of  men  engaged  for 
three,  six,  and  nine  months,  who  went  and  came  every  day,  rendered  it 
impossible  to  have  either  a  regiment  or  a  company  complete ;  and  the  words 
company,  regiment,  brigade,  and  division  were  so  vague  that  they  did  not 
convey  any  idea  upon  which  to  form  a  calculation,  either  of  a  particular 
corps  or  of  the  Army  in  general.  They  were  so  unequal  in  their  number 
that  it  would  have  been  impossible  to  execute  any  maneuvers.  Sometimes 
a  regiment  was  stronger  than  a  brigade.  I  have  seen  a  regiment  consisting  of 
thirty  men  and  a  company  of  one  corporal.  Nothing  was  so  difficult,  and  often 
so  impossible,  as  to  get  a  correct  list  of  the  state  or  a  return  of  any  company, 
regiment,  or  corps.  As  in  the  English  service,  there  was  a  muster  master 
general,  with  a  number  of  assistants.  It  was  the  duty  of  this  officer  to  ascer- 
tain and  report  every  month  the  effective  state  of  the  Army,  for  the  payment 
of  the  men  and  officers.  This  operation  took  place  as  follows:  Each  captain 
made  a  roll  of  his  company,  whether  absent  or  present,  after  which  he  made 
oath  before  a  superior  officer  that  this  return  was  correct,  'to  the  best  of  his 
knowledge  and  belief.'  The  muster  master  counted  the  men  present,  and 
the  absent  were  marked  by  him  for  their  pay-  upon  the  oath  of  the  captain. 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


I  am  very  far  from  supposing  that  an  officer  would  voluntarily  commit  a 
fraud,  but  let  us  examine  the  state  of  the  companies,  and  we  shall  see  the 
correctness  of  such  returns. 

"The  company  had  12  men  present;  absent,  i  man  as  valet  to  the  com- 
missary, 200  miles  distant  from  the  army  for  eighteen  months;  i  man,  valet 
to  a  quartermaster  attached  to  the  army  of  the  north,  for  twelve  months; 
4  in  different  hospitals  for  so  many  months;  2  as  drivers  of  carriages;  and  so 
many  more  as  bakers,  blacksmiths,  carpenters,  even  as  coal  porters,  for  years 
together,  although  the  greater  number  were  only  engaged  for  nine  months 
at  the  outset.  But  a  man  once  on  the  roll  of  a  company  remained  there  ever- 
lastingly as  forming  part  of  the  effective  strength,  except  in  case  of  death  or  desertion 
under  the  very  eyes  of  the  captain. 

"According  to  these  rolls  the  strength  of  the  Army  for  pay  and  provisions 
was  calculated.  The  regimental  returns  furnished  to  the  adjutant-general 
every  week,  for  the  information  of  the  general  in  chief,  as  to  the  strength 
of  the  Army,  were  not  much  more  exact.  7  am  sure  that  at  that  time  a  general 
would  have  thought  himself  lucky  to  find  a  third  of  the  men  ready  for  action  -whom 
he  found  on  paper. 

"The  soldiers  were  scattered  about  in  every  direction.  The  Army  was 
looked  upon  as  a  nursery  for  servants,  and  everyone  deemed  it  his  right  to 
have  a  valet.  Several  thousand  soldiers  were  employed  in  this  way.  We 
had  more  commissaries  and  quartermasters  at  that  time  than  all  the  armies  of 
Europe  together.  The  most  modest  had  only  one  servant,  but  others  had 
two  and  even  three.  If  the  captains  and  colonels  could  give  no  account 
of  their  men,  they  could  give  still  less  an  account  of  their  arms,  accouter- 
ments,  clothing,  ammunition,  camp  equipage,  etc.  Nobody  kept  an 
account  but  the  commissaries,  who  furnished  all  the  articles.  A  company 
which  consisted,  in  May,  of  50  men,  was  armed,  clothed,  and  equipped  in 
June.  It  then  consisted  of  30  men.  In  July  it  received  30  recruits,  who 
were  to  be  clothed,  armed,  and  equipped;  and  not  only  the  clothes  but 
the  arms  were  carried  off  by  those  who  had  completed  their  time  of  service. 

"Gen.  Knox  assured  me  that  previous  to  the  establishment  of  my  depart- 
ment there  never  was  a  campaign  in  which  the  military  magazines  did  not 
furnish  from  5,000  to  8,000  muskets  to  replace  those  which  were  lost  in  the 
way  I  have  described  above.  The  loss  of  bayonets  was  still  greater.  The 
American  soldier,  never  having  used  this  arm,  had  no  faith  in  it,  and  never 
used  it  but  to  roast  his  beefsteak  and,  indeed,  often  left  it  at  home.  This  is 
not  astonishing  when  it  is  considered  that  the  majority  of  the  States  engaged 
their  soldiers  for  from  six  to  nine  months.  Each  man  who  went  away  took 
his  musket  with  him,  and  his  successor  received  another  from  the  public 
store.  No  captain  kept  a  book.  Accounts  were  never  furnished  nor  required. 
As  our  Army  is,  thank  God,  little  subject  to  desertion,  I  venture  to  say  that 
during  an  entire  campaign  there  have  not  been  20  muskets  lost  since  my 
system  came  into  force.  It  was  the  same  with  the  pouches  and  other  ac- 
couterments,  and  7  do  not  believe  that  7  exaggerate  when  7  state  that  my  arrange- 
ments have  saved  the  United  States  at  least  800,000  French  livres  a  year. 

*  *  *  *  # 

"The  arms  at  Valley  Forge  were  in  a  horrible  condition,  covered  with 
rust,  half  of  them  without  bayonets,  many  from  which  a  single  shot  could 


Proceedings  in  Congress  145 

not  be  fired.  The  pouches  were  quite  as  bad  as  the  arms.  A  great  many 
of  the  men  had  tin  boxes  instead  of  pouches,  others  had  cow  horns, 
and  muskets,  carbines,  fowling  pieces,  and  rifles  were  to  be  seen  in  the  same 
company. 

"  It  is  also  necessary  to  remark  that  the  changing  of  men,  the  reductions, 
and  continual  incorporations  deprived  the  corps  and  regiments  of  all  con- 
sistence. There  was  another  evil  still  more  subversive  of  order  in  an  army — 
the  captains  and  colonels  did  not  consider  their  companies  and  regiments 
as  corps  confided  to  them  by  the  United  States  for  the  care  of  the  men  as 
well  as  the  preservation  of  order  and  discipline.  The  greater  part  of  the  cap- 
tains had  no  roll  of  their  companies,  and  had  no  idea  how  many  men  they  had 
under  their  orders.  When  I  asked  a  colonel  the  strength  of  his  regiment, 
the  usual  reply  was,  'Something  between  two  and  three  hundred  men.' 
The  colonels,  and  often  the  captains,  granted  leave  of  absence  as  they  thought 
proper,  and  not  only  that,  but  permissions  to  retire  from  the  service.  The 
officers  -were  not  accustomed  to  remain  with  the  troops  when  the  Army  was  in  camp; 
they  lived  in  houses,  often  several  miles  distant.  In  winter  quarters  they 
nearly  all  went  home,  and  there  were  often  not  more  than  four  officers  with 
a  regiment.  In  the  campaign  of  1779  I  found  a  Massachusetts  regiment 
commanded  by  a  lieutenant.  The  idea  they  had  of  their  duty  was  that 
the  officers  had  only  to  mount  guard  and  put  themselves  at  the  head  of  their 
regiment  or  company  when  they  were  going  into  action. 

"The  internal  administration  of  a  regiment  and  a  company  was  a  thing 
completely  unknown.  The  quartermaster  received  arms,  ammunition, 
and  camp  equipage  for  an  entire  brigade.  The  clothing  and  provisions 
were  distributed  in  the  same  way,  by  brigades.  A  captain  who  did  not 
know  the  number  of  men  in  his  company  could  not  know  the  number  of 
the  rations  and  other  articles  necessary  for  it.  There  were  absolutely  no 
regulations  for  the  service  of  the  camp  and  of  the  guards.  Each  colonel 
encamped  his  regiment  according  to  his  fancy.  There  were  guards  and 
pickets,  and  sometimes  too  many;  but  the  officers  did  not  know  their  duty, 
and  in  many  instances  did  not  understand  the  object  of  the  guard.  An 
infinity  of  internal  guards  for  the  commissaries  of  forage  and  provisions 
and  for  the  quartermaster  weakened  the  strength  of  the  Army,  the  more  so 
because  these  guards  were  never  relieved  and  remained  from  one  year  to 
another.  Their  arms  were  lost,  and  they  were  all  the  servants  of  the  com- 
missary, who  often  granted  them  leave  not  only  for  six  months,  but  without 
limitation.  It  would  be  an  endless  task  to  enumerate  the  abuses  which 
nearly  ruined  the  Army.  The  above  is  a  general  view  of  the  situation  of 
the  American  Army  as  I  found  it  at  Valley  Forge  in  the  month  of  February, 
1778." 

Such  was  his  report  of  the  conditions  as  he  found  them.  What  did  he  do? 
Let  him  tell: 

"Gen.  Washington  proposed  to  me  to  sketch  out  a  plan  for  establishing 
an  inspection  in  order  to  introduce  a  system  and  uniformity  into  all  these 
matters.  I  sketched  a  variety  of  different  plans,  but  it  was  exceedingly 
difficult  to  find  an  arrangement  likely  to  succeed  so  as  not  to  disgust  the 
officers  belonging  to  so  many  different  States  and  to  form  a  plan  in  con- 
84647°— 14 10 


146  Statite  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

formity  with  the  spirit  of  the  Nation,  and  with  the  prejudices,  however  well 
or  ill  founded  they  might  be,  against  foreigners.  I  was  often  obliged  to 
abandon  ideas  I  had  formed;  I  was  in  want  of  information  and  advice,  and 
I  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  a  few  officers  of  merit,  who  gave  me  every  satis- 
faction. They  were  Gen.  Greene,  Col.  Laurens,  and  Col.  Hamilton.  Hav- 
ing drawn  out  my  last  plan,  I  communicated  it  to  these  three  officers  and 
made  the  alterations  they  deemed  advisable  before  I  presented  it  to  the 
commander  in  chief.  Time  was  precious,  and  I  worked  day  and  night. 
I  finally  proposed  that  an  inspector  general  ought  to  be  appointed  at  once, 
who  should  establish  a  uniform  system  for  forming  the  troops,  for  exercising 
and  maneuvering  them,  for  their  duties  in  camp  and  on  the  march,  and  for 
the  duties  of  guards,  pickets,  and  sentries.  He  should  also  define  and  point 
out  the  duties  of  every  officer,  from  the  colonel  to  the  corporal;  the  manner 
in  which  returns  or  lists  of  the  men,  arms,  accouterments,  clothing,  and 
camp  equipage  should  be  made,  and  appoint  a  uniform  method  of  book- 
keeping, according  to  which  the  books  of  the  regiments,  of  companies,  as 
well  as  those  of  the  adjutant,  paymaster,  quartermaster,  and  clothing  master 
of  each  regiment,  should  be  kept;  that  this  inspector  should  review  the  troops 
every  month,  exercise  and  maneuver  them,  examine  the  returns  and  books, 
and  make  his  written  return  to  the  commander  in  chief  and  to  the  board  of 
war,  etc.;  that  a  colonel  from  each  division  should  be  chosen  by  the  inspec- 
tor general,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  see  that  the  ordinances  and  arrange- 
ments which  the  inspector  might  think  proper  to  establish,  with  the  consent 
of  the  commander  in  chief,  be  duly  executed  and  obeyed." 

Thus  did  Baron  STEUBEN  bring  order  out  of  chaos  in  the  commissariat 
and  quartermaster's  departments.  He  also  turned  his  great  talents  and 
ability  to  making  soldiers  out  of  the  recruits.  Again  it  will  be  well  to  let 
him  tell  his  own  story: 

"I  commenced  operations  by  drafting  120  men  from  the  line,  whom  I 
formed  into  a  guard  for  the  general  in  chief.  I  made  this  guard  my  military 
school.  /  drilled  them  myself  twice  a  day,  and  to  remove  that  English  prej- 
udice which  some  officers  entertained,  namely,  that  to  drill  a  recruit  was 
a  sergeant's  duty  and  beneath  the  station  of  an  officer,  I  often  took  the  mus- 
ket myself  to  show  the  men  the  manual  exercise  which  I  wished  to  introduce. 
All  my  inspectors  were  present  at  each  drill.  We  marched  together, 
wheeled,  etc.,  and  in  a  fortnight  my  company  knew  perfectly  how  to  bear 
arms,  had  a  military  air,  knew  how  to  march,  to  form  in  column,  deploy, 
and  execute  some  little  maneuvers  with  excellent  precision.  *  *  * 

."I- paraded  them  in  presence  of  all  the  officers  of  the  Army,  and  gave 
them  an  opportunity  of  exhibiting  all  they  knew.  They  formed  in  column, 
deployed,  attacked  with  the  bayonet,  changed  front,  etc.  It  afforded  a 
new  and  agreeable  sight  for  the  young  officers  and  soldiers.  Having  gained 
my  point  I  dispersed  my  apostles,  the  inspectors,  and  my  new  doctrine  was 
eagerly  embraced.  I  lost  no  time  in  extending  my  operations  on  a  large 
scale.  I  applied  my  system  to  battalions,  afterwards  to  brigades,  and  in 
less  than  three  weeks  I  executed  maneuvers  with  an  entire  division  in  pres- 
ence of  the  commander  in  chief." 


Proceedings  in  Congress  147 

In  a  letter  to  Gen.  John  Sullivan,  dated  at  Valley  Forge,  April  8,  1778, 
A.  Scammel  thus  comments  on  the  work  of  Baron  STEUBEN  and  its 
influence: 

"Baron  STEUBEN  sets  us  a  truly  noble  example.  He  has  undertaken  the 
discipline  of  the  Army  and  shows  himself  to  be  a  perfect  master  of  it,  not 
only  in  the  grand  maneuvers,  but  in  the  most  minute  details.  To  see  a 
gentleman  dignified  with  a  lieutenant  general's  commission  from  the  great 
Prussian  monarch  condescend  with  a  grace  peculiar  to  himself  to  take  under 
his  direction  a  squad  of  10  or  12  men  in  the  capacity  of  drill  sergeant,  com- 
mands the  admiration  of  both  officers  and  men,  and  causes  them  to  improve 
exceedingly  fast  under  his  instructions." 

Speaking  of  his  work  at  this  time,  William  North,  who  was  his  aid-de- 
camp and  therefore  familiar  with  the  subject,  says  in  his  biographical  sketch 
of  STEUBEN: 

"Certainly  it  was  a  brave  attempt.  Without  understanding  a  word  of  the 
English  language,  to  think  of  bringing  men,  born  free  and  joined  together 
to  preserve  their  freedom,  into  strict  subjection;  to  obey  without  a  word, 
a  look,  the  mandates  of  a  master — that  master  once  their  equal,  or,  possibly, 
beneath  them.  *  *  It  was  a  brave  attempt,  which  nothing  but  virtue 

or  high-raised  hopes  of  glory  could  have  supported.  * 

"From  the  commencement  of  instruction,  no  time,  no  pains,  no  fatigue 
were  thought  too  great  in  pursuit  of  this  great  object.  Through  the  whole 
of  each  campaign,  when  troops  were  to  maneuver,  and  that  was  almost  every 
day,  the  baron  rose  at  3  o'clock.  While  his  servant  dressed  his  hair,  he 
smoked  a  single  pipe  and  drank  one  cup  of  coffee;  was  on  horseback  at  sun- 
rise, and,  with  or  without  his  suite,  galloped  to  the  parade.  There  was  no 
waiting  for  a  tardy  aid-de-camp,  and  those  who  followed  wished  they  had 
not  slept.  Nor  was  there  need  of  chiding;  when  duty  was  neglected  or 
military  etiquette  infringed,  the  baron's  look  was  quite  sufficient." 

On  the  3oth  of  April,  1778,  about  six  weeks  after  STEUBEN  had  com- 
menced his  active  duties,  Washington  made  the  following  report  to  Con- 


"The  extensive  ill  consequences  arising  from  a  want  of  uniformity  in 
discipline  and  maneuvers  throughout  the  Army  have  long  occasioned  me 
to  wish  for  the  establishment  of  a  well-organized  inspectorship,  and  the  con- 
currence of  Congress  in  the  same  views  has  induced  me  to  set  on  foot  a  tem- 
porary institution,  which,  from  the  success  which  has  hitherto  attended  it, 
gives  me  the  most  flattering  expectations.  *  *  * 

"Baron  STEUBEN 's  length  of  service  in  the  first  military  school  of  Eu- 
rope, and  his  former  rank,  pointed  him  out  as  a  person  peculiarly  qualified 
to  be  at  the  head  of  this  department.  This  appeared  the  least  exception- 
able way  of  introducing  him  into  the  Army,  and  the  one  that  would  give 
him  the  most  ready  opportunity  of  displaying  his  talent.  I  therefore  pro- 
posed to  him  to  undertake  the  office  of  Inspector  General,  which  he  agreed 
to  do  with  the  greatest  cheerfulness,  and  has  performed  the  duties  of  it  with 
a  zeal  and  intelligence  equal  to  our  wishes.  * 

"I  should  do  injustice  if  I  were  to  be  longer  silent  with  regard  to  the 
merits  of  Baron  STEUBEN.  His  knowledge  of  his  profession,  added  to  the 


I48  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

zeal  which  he  has  displayed  since  he  began  upon  the  functions  of  his  office, 
leads  me  to  consider  him  an  acquisition  to  the  service,  and  to  recommend 
him  to  the  attention  of  Congress." 

The  "recommendation"  of  Washington  was  that  STEUBEN  be  made 
Inspector  General  of  the  American  Army  with  the  rank  of  major  general. 
The  recommendation  of  Washington  was  followed  by  Congress,  and  by  act 
of  May  5,  1778,  STEUBEN  was  created  a  major  general  and  assigned  to  the 
duties  of  Inspector  General  of  the  Army. 

There  was  opposition  to  STEUBEN  and  his  plans  from  many  of  the  other 
general  officers.  They  had  not  heretofore  been  subjected  to  instruction  in 
the  discipline  and  management  of  their  own  troops.  STEUBEN  himself 
says  that  he  was  severe  and  exacting.  He  felt  it  his  duty  to  be  so.  Gradu- 
ally, however,  this  opposition  died  away,  and  the  spirit  of  the  German  soldier 
took  possession  of  officers  and  men  alike,  and  the  American  Army  was  worked 
into  shape  to  make  its  later  achievements  possible. 

As  Inspector  General,  STEUBEN  composed  a  book  of  regulations  which 
was  adopted  and  upon  which  the  present  Regulations  of  the  American  Army 
are  based. 

Later,  upon  his  urgent  request,  he  was  given  a  command,  and  served  with 
credit.  In  1779-80  he  served  in  the  South  and  achieved  some  distinction 
in  the  field.  He  was  appointed  to  command  in  Virginia  and  remained  there 
most  of  the  time  until  June,  1781.  It  was  there  that  he  became  involved 
over  the  loss  of  the  magazines  at  Point  of  Fork,  and  was  vindicated  only 
after  along  investigation.  After  the  Battle  of  Yorktown  he  was  one  of  five 
generals  whom  Washington  mentioned  by  name  in  the  orders  of  the  day  for 
specially  valuable  services  in  the  battle. 

The  last  act  of  Gen.  Washington  before  resigning  his  commission  as  Com- 
mander in  Chief  of  the  American  Army  was  to  write  an  appreciative  letter 
to  Baron  STEUBEN,  as  follows: 

"ANNAPOLIS,  December  23,  1783. 

"MY  DEAR  BARON:  Although  I  have  taken  frequent  opportunities,  both 
in  public  and  in  private,  of  acknowledging  your  great  zeal,  attention,  and 
abilities  in  performing  the  functions  of  your  office,  yet  I  wish  to  make  use 
of  this  last  moment  of  my  public  life  to  signify  in  the  strongest  terms  my 
entire  approbation  of  your  conduct,  and  to  express  my  sense  of  the  obliga- 
tions the  public  is  under  to  you  for  your  faithful  and  meritorious  services. 

"I  beg  you  will  be  convinced,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  should  rejoice  if  it  could 
ever  be  in  my  power  to  serve  you  more  especially  than  by  expressions  of 
regard  and  affection;  but,  in  the  meantime,  I  am  persuaded  you  will  not 
be  displeased  with  this  farewell  token  of  my  sincere  friendship  and  esteem 
for  you. 

"This  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  write  while  I  continue  in  the  service  of  my 
country.  The  hour  of  my  resignation  is  fixed  at  12  to-day,  after  which  I 
shall  become  a  private  citizen,  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  where  I  shall 
be  glad  to  embrace  you  and  testify  the  great  esteem  and  consideration  with 
which  I  am,  my  dear  baron,  etc. " 


Proceedings  in  Congress  149 

On  March  24,  1784,  STEUBEN  gave  in  his  resignation,  which  Congress  ac- 
cepted on  April  15,  with  the  following  resolution: 

"Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  United  States,  in  Congress  assembled, 
be  given  to  Baron  STEUBEN  for  the  great  zeal  and  abilities  he  has  discovered 
in  the  discharge  of  the  several  duties  of  his  office;  that  a  gold-hilted  sword 
be  presented  to  him  as  a  mark  of  the  high  sense  Congress  entertain  of  his 
character  and  services,  and  that  the  superintendent  of  finance  take  order 
for  procuring  the  same." 

Then  it  required  seven  years'  active  effort  for  the  baron  to  secure  a  settle- 
ment for  his  services,  which  settlement  he  obtained  only  after  it  had  been 
plainly  shown  that  he  had  been  reduced  to  the  extremity  of  either  starving 
here  or  begging  in  Europe.  The  compensation,  when  it  was  finally  made, 
was  so  miserly  in  amount  that  the  debts  of  STEUBEN  had  absorbed  all  he 
received,  and  the  man  who  had  done  so  much  to  make  the  victory  of  the 
American  forces  possible  was  compelled  to  retire  to  a  little  farm  given  him 
by  the  State  of  New  York.  Here  he  built  a  log  house  of  five  rooms,  and 
lived  almost  in  poverty  until  his  death  in  December,  1794. 

The  historian,  George  Bancroft,  says  of  STEUBEN: 

' '  The  memory  of  STEUBEN  has  many  claims  upon  the  present  generation. 
To  the  cause  of  our  country  in  the  times  of  its  distress  he,  at  the  sacrifice 
of  a  secure  career,  devoted  the  experience  and  skill  which  had  been  the 
fruit  of  long  years  of  service  under  the  greatest  master  of  the  art  of  war  of 
that  day.  He  rendered  the  inestimable  benefit  of  introducing  a  better  rule 
into  the  discipline  of  the  American  Army  and  stricter  accountability  in 
the  distribution  of  military  stores.  He  served  under  our  flag  with  implicit 
fidelity,  with  indefatigable  industry,  and  a  courage  that  shrunk  from  no 
danger.  His  presence  was  important  both  in  the  camp  and  on  the  field  of 
battle,  from  the  huts  of  Valley  Forge  to  Yorktown,  and  he  remained  with 
us  till  his  death." 

As  Baron  STEUBEN  rendered  such  great  services  to  our  Nation  and  received 
for  them  such  small  reward,  the  committee  feels  confident  that  Congress 
and  the  country  will  esteem  it  a  privilege  at  this  late  day  to  rear  to  him  this 
monument  of  its  gratitude. 

JULY  1,  1902 

Mr.  BRICK.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  ask  unanimous  consent  for  the 
present  consideration  of  the  bill  H.  R.  16. 
The  bill  was  read,  as  follows: 

A  bill  to  provide  for  the  erection  of  a  bronze  equestrian  statue  to  the  mem- 
ory of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Mr.  SUI/ZER.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  wish  to  be  heard  on  this 
matter.  I  desire  to  say  that  I  am  very  much  in  favor  of 
the  passage  of  this  bill  to  erect  in  the  city  of  Washington 
an  equestrian  statue  to  the  memory  of  Casimir  Pulaski,  but 
I  understood  that  the  gentleman  from  Missouri  [Mr.  Bar- 


150  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

tholdt]  intended  to  offer  another  bill  as  an  amendment  to 
this  bill  to  build  a  similar  statue  to  the  memory  of  Baron 
STEUBEN.  Both  of  these  bills  have  been  unanimously 
reported  by  the  Committee  on  the  Library.  I  think  they 
ought  to  go  together. 

It  will  be  fitting  and  proper.  STEUBEN  and  Pulaski  were 
great  heroes  and  rendered  invaluable  service  to  the  Ameri- 
can cause  during  the  Revolutionary  War.  If  the  gentle- 
man from  Missouri  [Mr.  Bartholdt]  does  not  offer  the  amend- 
ment I  shall,  and  I  hope  the  gentleman  from  Indiana  [Mr. 
Brick]  will  accept  it.  If  he  does,  I  believe  they  will  pass 
together  unanimously.  I  am  as  much  in  favor  of  one  as  I 
am  of  the  other.  The  merits  of  each  are  about  the  same. 
They  fought  for  the  same  cause,  under  similar  circum- 
stances, and  then-  monuments  should  go  up  together  at  the 
same  time. 

Now,  Mr.  Speaker,  I  want  to  say  a  few  words,  and  pay 
my  humble  tribute  to  the  memory  of  both  of  these  dis- 
tinguished heroes  of  our  Revolutionary  struggle.  It  is 
fitting  that  this  should  be  done.  They  both  deserve  to 
have  statues  in  this  city. 

***** 

We  have  erected  in  Jackson  Park,  fronting  the  White 
House,  a  statue  to  Gen.  Lafayette.  That  statue  occupies 
a  prominent  corner.  On  the  other  corner  we  have  just 
unveiled  a  magnificent  statue  to  Gen.  Rochambeau,  and 
the  two  remaining  corners  of  that  park  should  be  graced 
with  the  statues  of  Gen.  Pulaski  and  Gen.  STEUBEN.  I 
hope  this  course  will  be  followed.  It  would  be,  it  seems 
to  me,  entirely  proper  and  exceedingly  consistent. 
***** 

Now,  Mr.  Speaker,  I  want  to  say  a  few  words  regarding 
Gen.  STEUBEN  and  the  bill  to  erect  a  statue  to  his  mem- 
ory. A  century  and  a  quarter  have  passed  since  Baron 
STEUBEN,  as  he  is  more  frequently  called,  came  to  America 
and  offered  his  services  to  the  struggling  Colonists. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  151 

He  was  duly  commissioned  a  general  in  the  Revolution- 
ary Army  and  rendered  incalculable  service  during  that 
protracted  and  sanguinary  struggle.  American  history  does 
not  give  him  the  place  he  is  entitled  to  and  should  occupy. 
Our  Government  has  done  practically  nothing  to  testify  its 
appreciation  of  the  great  work  he  performed  in  the  days 
that  tried  men's  souls. 

Perhaps  this  is  because  he  did  not  assume  the  command- 
ing position  of  other  more  dashing  Revolutionary  generals. 
STEUBEN  was  a  soldier.  He  drilled  and  disciplined  the 
ragged  Army  of  the  Colonists.  He  worked  behind  the 
scenes,  but  the  work  he  did  was  of  the  utmost  importance 
and  made  it  possible  for  the  Continental  Army  to  cope 
with  the  disciplined  and  experienced  soldiers  of  England 
and  win  American  independence. 

The  career  of  Gen.  STEUBEN  is  a  most  interesting  and 
absorbing  history  of  an  exciting  life.  He  was  born  No- 
vember 15,  1730,  at  Magdeburg,  a  large  Prussian  fortress 
on  the  Elbe.  At  that  time  his  father  was  captain  in  the 
Prussian  engineers,  and  when  he  was  called  to  service  in 
the  Crimea  the  son  accompanied  him.  In  1740  he  re- 
turned with  his  father  to  Prussia.  In  1744,  when  scarcely 
14  years  of  age,  during  the  War  of  the  Austrian  Succession, 
he  was  present  at  the  siege  of  Prague.  Thus  from  his 
earliest  years  STEUBEN  was  familiar  with  soldiers  and 
things  pertaining  to  war. 

In  the  Seven  Years'  War  so  greatly  did  he  distinguish 
himself  that  he  attracted  the  attention  of  Frederick  the 
Great,  who  appointed  STEUBEN  aid-de-camp  on  his  per- 
sonal staff.  He  was  one  of  six  talented  young  officers 
whom  the  King  personally  instructed  and  initiated  into 
the  most  abstruse  branches  of  military  art.  The  distinc- 
tion of  being  thus  chosen  is  convincing  proof  of  STEUBEN 's 
merit  and  promise.  With  Frederick  the  Great  neither  high 
birth  nor  family  influence  had  any  weight  in  the  selection 
of  his  military  favorites;  talent  and  fitness  were  the  only 
recommendation  to  favor. 


152  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

In  1764,  having  resigned  from  the  service  of  Prussia, 
STEUBEN  accepted  the  office  of  grand  marshal  of  the  court 
of  the  Prince  of  Hohenzollern-Hechingen,  the  honorable 
and  responsible  duties  of  which  he  discharged  with  great 
credit  for  some  10  years.  For  some  years  the  dignified 
tranquillity  of  court  life  furnished  agreeable  repose  for  him, 
tired  as  he  was  of  the  bivouac  and  the  camp.  But  it 
could  not  satisfy  his  ardent  and  impetuous  temperament 
or  induce  him  to  renounce  the  active  duties  from  which 
for  a  season  he  had  withdrawn.  So  he  began  to  look 
around  for  a  fitting  opportunity  to  reenter  active  military 
service. 

He  left  Europe,  where  he  had  won  hard-earned  distinc- 
tion and  fame — where  if  he  was  not  opulent  he  had  at 
least  a  sufficient  competence — to  serve  a  country  engaged 
in  an  obstinate,  exhausting,  and  hitherto  unsuccessful  war, 
where  his  prospects  of  professional  advancement  were  by 
no  means  assured,  and  which  offered  no  inducements  of  a 
pecuniary  or  material  nature.  Confident  in  himself,  urged 
by  high  and  generous  motives,  he  determined  to  offer  his 
sword  to  a  people  struggling  for  their  rights  and  liberties. 
He  made  no  conditions.  He  bargained  for  no  reward. 

Arriving  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  on  the  ist  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1777,  STEUBEN,  on  December  6,  wrote  to  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  a  letter  which  is  worthy  of  being  quoted 
here  in  its  entirety,  as  illustrating  the  spirit  of  the  man. 
It  was  as  follows: 

HONORABLE  GENTLEMEN:  The  honor  of  serving  a  nation  engaged  in  de- 
fending its  rights  and  liberties  was  the  motive  that  brought  me  to  this  con- 
tinent. I  ask  neither  riches  nor  titles.  I  am  come  here  from  the  remotest 
end  of  Germany,  at  my  own  expense,  and  have  given  up  honorable  and  lucra- 
tive rank.  I  have  made  no  condition  with  your  deputies  in  France,  nor 
shall  I  make  any  with  you.  My  only  ambition  is  to  serve  you  as  a  volun- 
teer, to  deserve  the  confidence  of  your  General  in  Chief,  and  to  follow  him 
in  all  his  operations  as  I  have  done  during  seven  campaigns  with  the  King 
of  Prussia. 

Two  and  twenty  years  spent  in  such  a  school  seems  to  give  me  a  right  of 
thinking  myself  among  the  number  of  experienced  officers,  and  if  I  am  pos- 
sessed of  the  acquirements  in  the  art  of  war  they  will  be  much  more  prized  by 
me  if  I  can  employ  them  in  the  service  of  a  Republic  such  as  I  hope  soon  to 


Proceedings  in  Congress  153 

see  America.  I  should  willingly  purchase  at  the  expense  of  my  blood  the 
honor  of  having  my  name  enrolled  among  those  of  the  defenders  of  your  lib- 
erty. Your  gracious  acceptance  will  be  sufficient  for  me,  and  I  ask  no  other 
favor  than  to  be  received  among  your  officers.  I  venture  to  hope  that  you 
will  grant  this  my  request,  and  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  send  me  your 
orders  to  Boston,  where  I  shall  await  them  and  take  suitable  measures  in 
accordance. 

In  a  letter  to  Washington,  of  the  same  date,  he  said: 

SIR:  The  inclosed  copy  of  a  letter,  the  original  of  which  I  shall  have  the 
honor  to  present  to  Your  Excellency,  will  inform  you  of  the  motives  that 
brought  me  over  to  this  land.  I  shall  only  add  to  it  that  the  object  of  my 
greatest  ambition  is  to  render  the  country  all  the  service  in  my  power,  and 
to  deserve  the  title  of  a  citizen  of  America  by  fighting  for  the  cause  of  your 
liberty.  If  the  distinguished  ranks  in  which  I  have  served  in  Europe  should 
be  an  obstacle,  I  had  rather  serve  under  Your  Excellency  as  a  volunteer 
than  to  be  an  object  of  discontent  to  such  deserving  officers  as  have  already 
distinguished  themselves  among  you. 

Such  being  the  sentiments  I  have  always  professed,  I  dare  hope  that  the 
respectable  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America  will  accept  my  serv- 
ices. I  could  say,  moreover,  were  it  not  for  the  fear  of  offending  your  mod- 
esty, that  Your  Excellency  is  the  only  person  under  whom,  after  having 
served  the  King  of  Prussia,  I  could  wish  to  follow  a  profession  to  the  study 
of  which  I  have  wholly  devoted  myself.  I  intend  to  go  to  Boston  in  a  few 
days,  where  I  shall  present  my  letters  to  Mr.  Hancock,  Member  of  Congress, 
and  there  I  shall  await  Your  Excellency's  orders. 

At  Boston  STEUBEN  was  entertained  by  John  Hancock, 
who  had  just  retired  from  the  presidency  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  and  here,  after  waiting  five  weeks,  he 
received  Washington's  answer  to  his  letter.  It  advised 
him  to  report  at  once  to  Congress,  then  sitting  at  York, 
Pa.,  since  it  belonged  exclusively  to  that  body  to  enter  into 
negotiations  with  him. 

The  fame  of  STEUBEN  had  preceded  him  to  York  and  he 
was  cordially  received  by  Congress.  A  committee  of  three 
members  was  appointed  to  confer  with  him  and  ascertain 
the  conditions  on  which  he  was  willing  to  serve  the  United 
States,  and  whether  he  had  made  any  arrangements  with 
the  American  deputies  in  France. 

He  said  that  he  had  made  no  agreement  with  them,  nor 
was  it  his  intention  to  accept  any  rank  or  pay;  that  he 
wished  to  join  the  Army  as  a  volunteer,  and  to  render  such 
services  as  the  Commander  in  Chief  should  think  him  capable 


154  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

of.  The  Continental  Congress,  through  its  president,  Mr. 
Laurens,  accepted  his  generous  proposition  and  directed 
him  to  report  to  Gen.  Washington  at  Valley  Forge.  Here 
STEUBEN  began  a  work  the  value  of  which  can  scarcely  be 
overestimated. 

He  made  the  patriotic  army  a  disciplined  and  effective 
force — the  drilled  corps  that  ultimately  won  the  war  for 
freedom.  He  worked  incessantly  to  do  this  under  the 
greatest  difficulties  and  most  adverse  circumstances,  but 
he  succeeded,  and  the  credit  for  it  is  all  his  own.  Ameri- 
can history  some  day  will  do  him  full  justice  and  give  him 
a  high  place  in  our  temple  of  fame. 

On  the  3oth  of  April,  1778,  about  six  weeks  after 
STEUBEN  had  commenced  his  active  duties,  Washington 
made  the  following  report  to  Congress: 

The  extensive  ill  consequences  arising  from  a  want  of  uniformity  in  dis- 
cipline and  maneuvers  throughout  the  Army  have  long  occasioned  me  to 
wish  for  the  establishment  of  a  well-organized  inspectorship,  and  the  con- 
currence of  Congress  in  the  same  views  has  induced  me  to  set  on  foot  a  tem- 
porary institution,  which,  from  the  success  which  has  hitherto  attended  it, 
gives  me  the  most  flattering  expectations. 

Baron  STEUBEN 's  length  of  service  in  the  first  military  school  of  Europe 
and  his  former  rank  pointed  him  out  as  a  person  peculiarly  qualified  to  be 
at  the  head  of  this  department.  This  appeared  the  least  exceptionable  way 
of  introducing  him  into  the  Army,  and  the  one  that  would  give  him  the 
most  ready  opportunity  of  displaying  his  talent.  I  therefore  proposed  to 
him  to  undertake  the  office  of  Inspector  General,  which  he  agreed  to  do  with 
the  greatest  cheerfulness,  and  has  performed  the  duties  of  it  with  a  zeal  and 
intelligence  equal  to  our  wishes. 

I  should  do  injustice  if  I  were  to  be  longer  silent  with  regard  to  the  merits 
of  Baron  STEUBEN.  His  knowledge  of  his  profession,  added  to  the  zeal 
which  he  has  displayed  since  he  began  upon  the  functions  of  his  office,  leads 
me  to  consider  him  an  acquisition  to  the  service,  and  to  recommend  him  to 
the  attention  of  Congress. 

The  "  recommendation  "  of  Washington  was  that  STEUBEN 
be  made  Inspector  General  of  the  American  Army  with 
the  rank  of  major  general.  The  recommendation  of 
Washington  was  followed  by  Congress,  and  by  act  of 
Ma7  5»  1778,  STEUBEN  was  created  a  major  general  and 
assigned  to  the  duties  of  Inspector  General  of  the  Army. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  155 

Mr.  Speaker,  such  in  brief  is  the  story  of  Gen.  STEUBEN, 
one  of  the  bravest  and  most  invaluable  officers  of  the 
Continental  Army.  He  served  throughout  the  Revolu- 
tionary War,  and  was  of  inestimable  service  to  Washing- 
ton, who  never  failed  to  testify  to  his  abilities  and  the 
great  work  he  had  done  in  the  cause  of  American  inde- 
pendence. 

When  peace  came  and  the  United  States  had  taken 
her  place  among  the  nations  of  the  world,  this  battle- 
scarred  veteran — grand  old  Gen.  STEUBEN — who  had  been 
a  tower  of  strength  to  George  Washington  from  Valley 
Forge  to  Yorktown,  quietly  resigned  his  commission  in 
the  Army  of  the  United  States  and  retired  to  a  log  hut 
in  the  backwoods  of  the  State  of  New  York — away  from 
the  crowded  marts  of  trade  and  the  peopled  thorough- 
fares of  towns  and  cities — to  live  and  die  in  peace. 

He  rendered  great  service  to  this  country  in  its  most 
trying  hour,  in  the  darkest  days  of  its  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence, and  hi  his  name,  in  the  name  of  all  that  he 
did  and  accomplished,  in  the  name  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  in  the  name  of  honor  and  gratitude,  I  appeal 
to  every  Member  of  this  House  to  vote  for  this  bill  to 
erect  to  his  memory  a  fitting  statue  to  commemorate  his 
heroic  deeds  and  to  perpetuate  forever  his  imperishable 
glory.  [Applause.] 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  should  like  to  ask  unan- 
imous consent  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  statement. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  first  thing  is  the  unanimous  con- 
sent to  the  request  of  the  gentleman  from  Indiana.  Is 
there  objection?  [After  a  pause.]  The  Chair  hears  none. 
Now,  if  there  is  no  objection,  the  gentleman  from  Mis- 
souri can  make  a  statement. 

There  was  no  objection. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  A  few  weeks  ago,  Mr.  Speaker,  the 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  informed  me 
that  he  had  the  consent  of  the  Speaker  to  ask  for  the  con- 
sideration of  two  bills,  one  providing  for  a  monument  to 


156  Status  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

Gen.  Pulaski  and  the  other  a  monument  to  Gen.  STEUBEN. 
I  naturally  supposed  that  the  chairman  of  the  committee 
would,  when  his  time  came,  be  recognized  for  the  purpose, 
and  that  both  bills  would  be  passed.  On  this  account  I 
did  not  ask  in  time  for  my  name  to  be  put  on  the  list. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  Chair  will  state  that  the  gentleman 
is  taking  up  time  now  which  would  enable  the  House  to 
pass  the  bill.  The  Chair  will  also  say  that  the  Chair  makes 
no  promise  to  gentlemen  until  they  are  notified,  and  this 
matter  is  on  the  Speaker's  list,  and  if  the  gentleman  will 
allow  the  business  to  go  on,  we  can  reach  it. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  want  to  say  that  the 
Speaker  has  acted  with  entire  fairness  in  this  matter.  I 
only  came  here  yesterday,  and  consequently  there  is  now 
an  absolute  certainty  that  my  request  for  recognition  for 
the  monument  to  Gen.  STEUBEN  will  not  be  reached  in 
this  session.  And  yet  I  ask  both  sides  of  the  House 
whether  it  would  not  be  fair  that  both  monuments  should 
be  ordered  at  this  time.  They  were  both  great  Revolu- 
tionary heroes,  and  France  has  been  recognized  in  statues 
for  Lafayette  and  Rochambeau,  and  the  Poles  are  to  be 
recognized  in  a  monument  for  Pulaski,  and  I  ask  that 
these  two  bills  be  passed  together.  I  ask  unanimous  con- 
sent, Mr.  Speaker,  that  the  bill  providing  for  a  monu- 
ment for  Gen.  STEUBEN  be  added  to  this  pending  bill  as 
an  amendment. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  gentleman  from  Missouri  asks  unan- 
imous consent  that  the  bill  pending  in  the  House  making 
provision  for  a  statue  of  Baron  STEUBEN  be  added  as  an 
amendment  to  the  bill  now  before  the  House.  Is  there 
objection?  [After  a  pause.]  The  Chair  hears  none.  The 
Clerk  will  report  the  amendment. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Add  to  the   pending  bill   the   following: 

"That  the  sum  of  $50,000,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  be, 
and  is  hereby,  appropriated,  out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise 
appropriated,  to  be  used  for  the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  to  the  mem- 
ory of  Baron  STEUBEN  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  and  for  grading 


Proceedings  in  Congress  157 

and  inclosing  with  stone  curbing  the  site  upon  which  said  equestrian  statue 
shall  be  erected,  which  sum  shall  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  the 
Secretary  of  War  or  such  officer  as  he  may  designate:  Provided,  That  the 
money  hereby  appropriated  shall  be  drawn  from  time  to  time  only  as  may 
be  required,  during  the  progress  of  the  work  and  upon  the  requisition  of 
the  Secretary  of  War:  And  provided  further,  That  a  site  and  design  for  said 
monument  shall  be  selected  by  the  Secretary  of  War  and  the  two  chairmen, 
respectively,  of  the  Senate  and  House  Committees  on  the  Library,  and 
that  no  part  of  the  sum  hereby  appropriated  shall  be  expended  until  a 
suitable  site  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  for  the  erection  of  said 
equestrian  statue  shall  be  selected. " 

The  SPEAKER.  The  proposed  amendments  have  been 
adopted  by  unanimous  consent  .of  the  House. 

Mr.  PALMER.  Mr.  Speaker,  we  have  at  the  Nation's 
Capital  a  statue  of  the  gallant  Frenchman,  Lafayette, 
who  volunteered  and  fought  for  independence,  and  lived. 

We  have  a  statue  of  the  brave  Rochambeau,  who  volun- 
teered, fought  for  independence,  and  lived. 

We  are  to  have,  I  hope,  a  statue  of  the  accomplished 
German,  Gen.  STEUBEN,  who  organized  and  disciplined 
the  ragged  troops  of  Gen.  Washington  during  that  fateful 
whiter  at  Valley  Forge. 

We  have  been  presented  by  the  Emperor  of  Germany 
with  a  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great,  which  will  have  a 
place  in  the  Nation's  Capital  as  a  perpetual  memorial  of 
his  sympathy  for  the  Colonies  in  their  great  struggle  for 
liberty,  and  as  an  evidence  of  the  harmony  that  still 
exists  between  the  great  German  Empire  and  the  great 
Republic. 

Why,  then,  should  not  the  United  States  erect  a  statue 
to  Gen.  Pulaski,  a  gallant  Pole,  who  volunteered,  fought, 
bled,  and  died  in  our  battle  for  liberty?  The  Continental 
Congress  recognized  his  merit  and  voted  him  a  monument. 
More  than  a  century  has  rolled  away  and  the  obligation 
is  unfulfilled. 

His  country  has  been  dismembered  and  Poland  as  a 
nation  has  been  obliterated  from  the  map  of  the  world. 
It  was  a  crime  unexampled  in  the  history  of  nations,  but 
the  Poles  and  Lithuanians  still  live,  and  they  have  naturally 


158  Statue  of  Bar  on  von  Steuben 

turned,  millions  of  them,  to  the  United  States  as  the  only 
country  where  then-  aspirations  for  freedom  can  be  satis- 
fied. They  came  to  stay,  to  cast  in  their  lot  with  us, 
and  to  help  build  up  the  great  Republic.  They  acquire 
land,  build  homes,  educate  their  children,  organize  so- 
cieties, build  churches,  and  in  every  way  adapt  them- 
selves to  our  civilization.  Their  children  excel  in  their 
studies  and  will  stand  a  fan-  chance  in  then-  contests  for 
success. 

There  are  those  who  believe  that  the  Slav  is  the  coming 
man,  destined  to  prevail  over  the  Latin,  Anglo-Saxon, 
and  Celt.  The  Poles  and  Lithuanians  who  come  here 
are,  in  the  main,  good,  frugal,  and  thrifty  citizens  of  the 
United  States.  Their  just  pride  would  be  gratified  by 
doing  this  honor  to  their  brave  countryman.  Then*  at- 
tachment to  the  land  of  then*  adoption  would  be  stimu- 
lated and  increased  by  such  an  act  of  recognition. 

Finally,  this  country  is  too  big  and  too  generous  and 
too  just  not  to  do  this  act  of  simple  justice  to  the  memory 
of  Gen.  Pulaski,  who  gave  his  life  that  liberty  might  live. 

Mr.  BRICK.  I  ask  that  general  leave  to  print  on  this 
subject  alone  be  given  for  five  days. 

There  was  no  objection. 

Mr.  HEMENWAY  subsequently  said: 

Mr.  Chairman,  as  the  representative  of  a  large  number 
of  German- American  citizens,  I  am  pleased  to  know  that 
the  great  service  of  Baron  STEUBEN  in  the  struggle  of  the 
American  Colonies  for  independence  is  to  be  recognized  by 
the  erection  of  an  equestrian  statue  to  his  memory  at  the 
city  of  Washington. 

The  country  is  indebted  to  the  energy  of  Hon.  Richard 
Bartholdt  for  securing  the  passage  of  the  bill  providing 
for  this  statue  through  the  House  of  Representatives, 
as  it  is  indebted  to  him  for  his  eminent  service  as  a  Mem- 
ber of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  for  many  years. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  159 

In  the  report  submitted  to  Congress,  Representative 
Bartholdt  says: 

There  is  reason,  perhaps,  for  the  failure  of  historians  to  accord  a  fitting 
position  to  STEUBEN  in  the  record  of  the  struggle  of  the  American  Colonies 
for  independence,  however  regrettable  the  fact  may  be  to  the  impartial 
student  of  the  man's  worth  and  work.  Readers  of  history  are  attracted 
to  the  part  played  by  men  who  lead  battalions  in  stirring  charges,  to  the 
heroes  in  action  on  the  battle  fields,  just  as  the  patrons  of  a  theater  applaud 
the  star,  unmindful,  if  not  ignorant,  of  the  importance  of  the  work  of  the 
stage  manager,  who  has  furnished  the  settings  for  the  play,  arranged  the 
scenic  effects,  and  made  the  actor's  triumph  possible. 

STEUBEN  was  the  stage  manager,  as  it  were,  in  the  presentation  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  drama,  and  his  work  has  been  forgotten  in  the  ap- 
plause and  admiration  of  the  incomparable  genius  of  Washington  and  the 
dash  and  daring  of  other  leaders  in  the  field  whose  efforts  resulted  in 
brilliant  feats  of  arms  and  the  achievement  of  American  independence. 
Baron  STEUBEN  worked  behind  the  scenes.  He  took  over  the  ragged 
tatterdemalions  of  Washington  at  Valley  Forge  and  in  the  face  of  almost 
insuperable  obstacles  worked  them  into  an  army  that  did  yeoman  service 
on  so  many  fields  later.  It  was  STEUBEN  who  took  in  charge  the  raw  ma- 
terial, the  undisciplined  recruits,  and  developed  an  army  which  for  effi- 
ciency has  challenged  the  admiration  of  the  world. 

It  is  not,  however,  my  intention  to  go  into  the  history 
of  the  life  of  Baron  STEUBEN,  but  only  to  refer  briefly  to 
same. 

He  left  Europe,  where  he  had  won  hard-earned  distinc- 
tion and  fame  and  where  he  had  a  sufficient  competence, 
and  came  to  this  country  and  immediately  addressed  the 
following  communication  to  Congress : 

HONORABLE  GENTLEMEN:  The  honor  of  serving  a  nation  engaged  in 
defending  its  rights  and  liberties  was  the  motive  that  brought  me  to  this 
continent.  I  ask  neither  riches  nor  titles.  I  am  come  here  from  the  remotest 
end  of  Germany,  at  my  own  expense,  and  have  given  up  honorable  and 
lucrative  rank.  I  have  made  no  condition  with  your  deputies  in  France, 
nor  shall  I  make  any  with  you.  My  only  ambition  is  to  serve  you  as  a  vol- 
unteer, to  deserve  the  confidence  of  your  general  in  chief,  and  to  follow 
him  in  all  his  operations,  as  I  have  done  during  seven  campaigns  with  the 
King  of  Prussia.  Two  and  twenty  years  spent  in  such  a  school  seem  to  give 
me  a  right  of  thinking  myself  among  the  number  of  experienced  officers, 
and  if  I  am  possessed  of  the  acquirements  in  the  art  of  war  they  will  be  much 
more  prized  by  me  if  I  can  employ  them  in  the  service  of  a  republic  such  as  I 
hope  to  soon  see  America.  I  should  willingly  purchase  at  the  expense  of  my 
blood  the  honor  of  having  my  name  enrolled  among  those  of  the  defenders 
of  your  liberty.  Your  gracious  acceptance  will  be  sufficient  for  me,  and  I 


!6o  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

ask  no  other  favor  than  to  be  received  among  your  officers.  I  venture  to  hope 
that  you  will  grant  this,  my  request,  and  that  you  will  be  so  good  as  to  send 
me  your  orders  to  Boston,  where  I  shall  await  them  and  take  suitable  measures 
in  accordance. 

He  also  addressed  to  Gen.  Washington  the  following: 

SIR:  The  inclosed  copy  of  a  letter,  the  original  of  which  I  shall  have  the 
honor  to  present  to  Your  Excellency,  will  inform  you  of  the  motives  that 
brought  me  over  to  this  land.  I  shall  only  add  to  it  that  the  object  of  my 
greatest  ambition  is  to  render  the  country  all  the  service  in  my  power,  and 
to  deserve  the  title  of  a  citizen  of  America  by  fighting  for  the  cause  of  your 
liberty.  If  the  distinguished  ranks  in  which  I  have  served  in  Europe  should 
be  an  obstacle,  I  had  rather  serve  under  Your  Excellency  as  a  volunteer  than 
to  be  an  object  of  discontent  to  such  deserving  officers  as  have  already  dis- 
tinguished themselves  among  you.  Such  being  the  sentiments  I  have  always 
professed,  I  dare  hope  that  the  respectable  Congress  of  the  United  States  of 
America  will  accept  my  services.  I  could  say,  moreover,  were  it  not  for  the 
fear  of  offending  your  modesty,  that  Your  Excellency  is  the  only  person  under 
whom,  after  having  served  the  King  of  Prussia,  I  could  wish  to  follow  a  pro- 
fession to  the  study  of  which  I  have  wholly  devoted  myself.  I  intend  to  go 
to  Boston  in  a  few  days,  where  I  shall  present  my  letters  to  Mr.  Hancock, 
Member  of  Congress,  and  there  I  shall  await  Your  Excellency 's  orders. 

At  Boston,  STEUBEN  was  entertained  by  John  Hancock, 
who  had  just  retired  from  the  Presidency  of  the  Congress, 
and  here,  after  waiting  five  weeks,  he  received  Washington's 
answer  to  his  letter.  It  advised  him  to  report  at  once  to 
Congress,  then  sitting  at  York,  Pa.,  since  it  belonged 
exclusively  to  that  body  to  enter  into  negotiations  with 
him. 

Congress,  through  its  President,  Mr.  Laurens,  accepted 
his  generous  proposition  and  directed  him  to  report  to 
Gen.  Washington  at  Valley  Forge.  Here  STEUBEN  began 
a  work  the  value  of  which  can  scarcely  be  overestimated. 

In  a  letter  to  Gen.  John  Sullivan,  dated  at  Valley  Forge, 
April  8,  1778,  A.  Scammel  thus  comments  on  the  work  of 
Baron  STEUBEN  and  its  influence: 

Baron  STBUBEN  sets  us  a  truly  noble  example.  He  has  undertaken  the 
discipline  of  the  Army,  and  shows  himself  to  be  a  perfect  master  of  it,  not 
only  in  the  grand  maneuvers,  but  in  the  most  minute  details.  To  see  a 
gentleman  dignified  with  a  lieutenant  general's  commission  from  the  great 
Prussian  monarch  condescend  with  a  grace  peculiar  to  himself  to  take  under 
his  direction  a  squad  of  10  or  12  men  in  the  capacity  of  drill  sergeant,  com- 
mands the  admiration  of  both  officers  and  men  and  causes  them  to  improve 
exceedingly  fast  under  his  instructions. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  161 

Speaking  of  his  work  at  this  time,  William  North,  who 
was  his  aid-de-camp,  and  therefore  familiar  with  the  sub- 
ject, says  in  his  biographical  sketch  of  STEUBEN: 

Certainly  it  was  a  brave  attempt.  Without  understanding  a  word  of  the 
English  language,  to  think  of  bringing  men,  bora  free  and  joined  together 
to  preserve  their  freedom,  into  strict  subjection,  to  obey  without  a  word, 
a  look,  the  mandates  of  a  master— that  master  once  their  equal,  or,  possibly, 
beneath  them.  *  *  *  It  was  a  brave  attempt  which  nothing  but  vir- 
tue or  high-raised  hopes  of  glory  could  have  supported.  *  *  * 

From  the  commencement  of  instruction  no  time,  no  pains,  no  fatigue 
were  thought  too  great  in  pursuit  of  this  great  object.  Through  the  whole 
of  each  campaign,  when  troops  were  to  maneuver,  and  that  was  almost 
every  day,  the  baron  rose  at  3  o'clock.  While  his  servant  dressed  his  hair, 
he  smoked  a  single  pipe  and  drank  one  cup  of  coffee;  was  on  horseback  at 
sunrise,  and,  with  or  without  his  suite,  galloped  to  the  parade.  There  was 
no  waiting  for  a  tardy  aid-de-camp,  and  those  who  followed  wished  they 
had  not  slept.  Nor  was  there  need  of  chiding;  when  duty  was  neglected 
or  military  etiquette  infringed,  the  baron's  look  was  quite  sufficient. 

On  the  3oth  of  April,  1778,  about  six  weeks  after  STEU- 
BEN had  commenced  his  active  duties,  Washington  made 
the  following  report  to  Congress: 

The  extensive  ill  consequences  arising  from  a  want  of  uniformity  in  disci- 
pline and  maneuvers  throughout  the  Army  have  long  occasioned  me  to 
wish  for  the  establishment  of  a  well-organized  inspectorship,  and  the  con- 
currence of  Congress  in  the  same  views  has  induced  me  to  set  on  foot  a  tem- 
porary institution,  which,  from  the  success  which  has  hitherto  attended 
it,  gives  me  the  most  flattering  expectations.  *  *  * 

Baron  STEUBEN 's  length  of  service  in  the  first  military  school  of  Europe, 
and  his  former  rank,  pointed  him  out  as  a  person  peculiarly  qualified  to  be 
at  the  head  of  this  department.  This  appeared  the  least  exceptionable 
way  of  introducing  him  into  the  Army,  and  the  one  that  would  give  him 
the  most  ready  opportunity  of  displaying  his  talent.  I  therefore  proposed 
to  him  to  undertake  the  office  of  Inspector  General,  which  he  agreed  to  do 
with  the  greatest  cheerfulness,  and  has  performed  the  duties  of  it  with  a 
zeal  and  intelligence  equal  to  our  wishes.  *  *  * 

I  should  do  injustice  if  I  were  to  be  longer  silent  with  regard  to  the 
merits  of  Baron  STEUBEN.  His  knowledge  of  his  profession,  added  to  the 
zeal  which  he  has  displayed  since  he  began  upon  the  functions  of  his  office, 
leads  me  to  consider  him  an  acquisition  to  the  service,  and  to  recommend 
him  to  the  attention  of  Congress. 

The  "recommendation"  of  Washington  was  that  STEU- 
BEN be  made  Inspector  General  of  the  American  Army 
with  the  rank  of  major  general.  The  recommendation 
of  Washington  was  followed  by  Congress,  and  by  act  of 

84647°— 14 11 


1 62  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

May  5,  1778,  STEUBEN  was  created  a  major  general  and 
assigned  to  the  duties  of  Inspector  General  of  the  Army. 

The  last  act  of  Gen.  Washington  before  resigning  his 
commission  as  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  American  Army 
was  to  write  an  appreciative  letter  to  Baron  STEUBEN, 
as  follows : 

ANNAPOLIS,  December  23,  1783. 

MY  DEAR  BARON:  Although  I  have  taken  frequent  opportunities,  both 
in  public  and  in  private,  of  acknowledging  your  great  zeal,  attention,  and 
abilities  in  performing  the  functions  of  your  office,  yet  I  wish  to  make  use  of 
this  last  moment  of  my  public  life  to  signify  in  the  strongest  terms  my  entire 
approbation  of  your  conduct,  and  to  express  my  sense  of  the  obligations  the 
public  is  under  to  you  for  your  faithful  and  meritorious  service. 

I  beg  you  will  be  convinced,  my  dear  sir,  that  I  should  rejoice  if  it  could 
ever  be  in  my  power  to  serve  you  more  especially  than  by  expressions  of 
regard  and  affection;  but,  in  the  meantime,  I  am  persuaded  you  will  not  be 
displeased  with  this  farewell  token  of  my  sincere  friendship  and  esteem  for  you. 

This  is  the  last  letter  I  shall  write  while  I  continue  in  the  service  of  my 
country.  The  hour  of  my  resignation  is  fixed  at  12  to-day,  after  which  I 
shall  become  a  private  citizen  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  where  I  shall 
be  glad  to  embrace  you  and  testify  the  great  esteem  and  consideration  with 
which  I  am,  my  dear  baron,  etc. 

On  March  24,  1784,  STEUBEN  gave  in  his  resignation 
which  Congress  accepted  on  April  15,  with  the  following 
resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  United  States,  in  Congress  assembled, 
be  given  to  Baron  STEUBEN  for  the  great  zeal  and  abilities  he  has  discovered 
in  the  discharge  of  the  several  duties  of  his  office;  that  a  gold-hilted  sword 
be  presented  to  him,  as  a  mark  of  the  high  sense  Congress  entertain  of  his 
character  and  service,  and  that  the  superintendent  of  finance  take  order 
for  procuring  the  same. 

Baron  STEUBEN  was  only  one  of  that  sturdy,  honest  type 
of  Germans  who  left  the  Fatherland  to  become  American 
citizens.  And  loyal  citizens  they  have  been  both  in  time 
of  war  and  in  time  of  peace. 

They  have  responded  to.  the  call  of  their  country  in 
three  wars — the  Revolutionary  War,  the  great  War  between 
the  States,  and  the  Spanish- American  War — and  in  each 
of  these  wars  their  names  have  been  recorded  on  the  roll 
of  honor  of  their  country. 


f  Proceedings  in  Congress  163 

And  in  time  of  peace  they  have  been  successful  in  every 
avocation  in  life — in  the  professions,  on  the  farm,  in  the 
factory,  at  the  compass — and  they  have  delighted  the 
world  with  their  music. 

And  in  politics,  not  wedded  to  any  particular  party  but 
always  conservative  and  voting  for  what  they  believe  is  to 
the  interest  of  the  Government,  they  have  in  the  past  by 
their  votes  prevented  radical  changes  in  legislation  and 
Government  policies  that  would  have  resulted  in  bringing 
distress  to  their  country. 

To  the  German- American  citizens  this  country  of  ours  is 
greatly  indebted  for  its  wonderful  progress  and  for  the 
fact  that  this  day  our  beloved  flag  floats  over  the  most 
prosperous  and  happy  people  on  earth. 

SENATE 

JULY  1,  1902 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  Mr. 
W.  J.  Browning,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  House 
had  passed  the  following  bill,  in  which  it  requested  the 
concurrence  of  the  Senate: 

A  bill  (H.  R.  16)  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  bronze 
equestrian  statues  of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski  and  Baron 
STEUBEN. 

***** 
The  bill  (H.  R.  16)  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  of  bronze  equestrian  statues  to  the  memory 
of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski  and  Baron 
STEUBEN  was  read  twice  by  its  title  and  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  the  Library. 


FIFTY-SEVENTH  CONGRESS,  SECOND  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Congressional  Record] 

SENATE 

FEBRUARY  6,  1903 

Mr.  Wetmore,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  to 
whom  was  referred  the  bill  (H.  R.  16)  to  provide  for  the 
erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  bronze  equestrian  statues 
to  the  memory  of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pu- 
laski  and  Baron  STEUBEN,  reported  it  with  amendments, 
and  submitted  a  report  thereon. 

The  report  (No.  2876)  follows: 

[Senate  Report  No.  2876.  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  second  session] 

EQUESTRIAN  STATUES  TO  MEMORY  OP  COUNT  PULASKI  AND  BARON 
STEUBEN 

FEBRUARY  6,  1903. — Ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  Wetmore,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  submitted  the  follow- 
ing report  (to  accompany  H.  R.  16): 

The  Committee  on  the  Library,  to  whom  was  referred  the  bill  (H.  R.  16) 
to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  bronze  equestrian  stat- 
ues to  the  memory  of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski  and  Baron 
STEUBEN,  having  had  the  same  under  consideration,  beg  leave  to  report  it 
back  with  the  following  amendments: 

Strike  out  all  after  the  enacting  clause  and  insert  the  following: 

"That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  District  of  Colum- 
bia, a  statue  of  Brigadier  General  Count  Casimir  Pulaski,  of  Poland,  who 
came  to  America  and,  after  declaring  his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  of 
the  Republic,  offered  his  sword  to  Washington,  under  whose  leadership  in 
the  great  struggle  for  American  independence  he  lost  his  life  at  the  siege 
of  Savannah,  Georgia,  October  eleventh,  seventeen  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting  said  statue  with  a  suit- 
able pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated, 
out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  same  to 
be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  composed  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the 
Senate,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  and  the  president  of  the  Pulaski 
Monument  Polish  central  committee. 
164 


Proceedings  in  Congress  165 

"SEC.  2.  That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia,  a  statue  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  AUGUSTUS  HENRY  FERDI- 
NAND, Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  major  general  and  inspector  general  in  the 
Continental  Army;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting  said 
statue  with  a  suitable  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  sum 
of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby 
appropriated,  out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated, 
the  same  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  com- 
posed of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Library  of  the  Senate,  and  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library 
of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

"SEC.  3.  That  the  commissions  herein  created  are  empowered,  respec- 
tively, to  select  sites  for  the  statues  authorized  by  this  act  on  ground  belong- 
ing to  the  Government:  Provided,  That  said  statues  shall  not  be  located  in 
the  grounds  of  the  Capitol  or  Library  of  Congress." 

Amend  the  title  so  as  to  read:  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  erection  at 
Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  of  statues  to  the  memory  of  Brigadier 
General  Count  Pulaski  and  Major  General  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  of  the 
Continental  Army." 

The  propositions  for  the  erection  of  statues  of  Count  Pulaski  and  Baron 
STEUBEN  were  introduced  as  separate  measures  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, and  each  was  reported  favorably  from  committee.  When  under 
consideration  in  the  House  they  were  consolidated  and  came  to  the  Senate 
as  one  act.  The  House  reports  accompanying  the  two  bills  are  reprinted 
herewith. 

#  *  *  *  # 

NOTE. — House  Report  No.  2497,  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  first  session, 
included  as  a  part  of  Senate  Report  No.  2876,  is  omitted  here.  It  will  be 
found  on  pages  137-149. 

FEBRUARY  23,  1903 

Mr.  FAIRBANKS.  I  ask  unanimous  consent  for  the  pres- 
ent consideration  of  the  bill  (H.  R.  16)  to  provide  for  the 
erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  bronze  equestrian  stat- 
ues to  the  memory  of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir 
Pulaski  and  Baron  STEUBEN. 

Mr.  President,  I  regret  that  the  pressure  of  the  public 
business  is  so  great  that  I  am  unable  to  speak  at  length 
upon  this  bill.  I  am  fully  aware,  however,  that  it  needs 
no  advocacy,  for  the  American  people  cherish  the  memory 
of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski,  the  great  Polish 
patriot  who  rendered  such  illustrious  service  in  the  sub- 
lime cause  of  American  independence. 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


Nor  is  any  word  necessary  to  secure  the  passage  of  the 
bill  to  erect  a  statue  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  Baron 
VON  STEUBEN,  who  wrote  with  his  sword  a  brilliant  record 
in  American  history. 

It  is  a  happy  circumstance  that  both  Pulaski  and 
STEUBEN  are  associated  in  the  bill,  consideration  of  which 
I  now  ask.  They  possessed  the  entire  confidence  of 
George  Washington,  and  gave  powerful  aid  to  the  ex- 
alted cause  of  freedom  upon  the  western  continent. 

We  are  a  grateful  people,  and  we  will  erect  here  in  the 
Nation's  Capital  monuments  which  shall  fitly  commem- 
orate the  services  of  Count  Pulaski  and  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN,  and  which  shall  stand  forever  in  the  shadow 
of  the  majestic  shaft  erected  to  the  memory  of  their 
great  commander,  George  Washington. 

I  hope,  Mr.  President,  that  the  bill  may  be  given  pres- 
ent consideration. 

There  being  no  objection,  the  Senate,  as  in  Committee 
of  the  Whole,  proceeded  to  consider  the  bill,  which  had 
been  reported  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library  with 
an  amendment  to  strike  out  all  after  the  enacting  clause 
and  insert: 

That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  District  of  Colum- 
bia, a  statue  of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski,  of  Poland,  who  came  to 
America  and,  after  declaring  his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  Re- 
public, offered  his  sword  to  Washington,  under  whose  leadership  in  the 
great  struggle  for  American  independence  he  lost  his  life  at  the  siege  of 
Savannah,  Ga.,  October  u,  1779;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and 
erecting  said  statue,  with  a  suitable  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a 
site,  the  sum  of  $50,000,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby 
appropriated,  out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated, 
the  same  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  com- 
posed of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Library  of  the  Senate,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  and  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Pulaski  Monument  Polish  central  committee. 

SEC.  2.  That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  District  of 
Columbia,  a  statue  of  FREDERICK  WH,UAM  AUGUSTUS  HENRY  FERDINAND, 
Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  major  general  and  inspector  general  in  the  Continental 
Army;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting  said  statue,  with  a  suit- 


Proceedings  in  Congress  167 

able  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  sum  of  $50,000,  or  so 
much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated,  out  of  any  money 
in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  same  to  be  expended  under 
the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  composed  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  Senate,  and  the  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

SEC.  3.  That  the  commissions  herein  created  are  empowered,  respec- 
tively, to  select  sites  for  the  statues  authorized  by  this  act  on  ground  be- 
longing to  the  Government:  Provided,  That  said  statues  shall  not  be  located 
in  the  grounds  of  the  Capitol  or  Library  of  Congress. 

The  amendment  was  agreed  to. 

The  bill  was  reported  to  the  Senate  as  amended,  and 
the  amendment  was  concurred  in. 

The  amendment  was  ordered  to  be  engrossed,  and  the 
bill  to  be  read  a  third  time. 

The  bill  was  read  the  third  time,  and  passed. 

The  title  was  amended  so  as  to  read: 

A  bill  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  statues  to  the 
memory  of  Brigadier  General  Count  Pulaski  and  Major  General  Baron  VON 
StEUBEN,  of  the  Continental  Army. 

HOUSE 

FEBRUARY  23,  1903 

A  message  from  the  Senate,  by  Mr.  Parkinson,  its  read- 
ing clerk,  announced  that  the  Senate  had  passed  a  bill 
of  the  following  title: 

H.  R.  16.  An  act  to  provide  for  the  erection,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of 
bronze  equestrian  statues  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casi- 
mir  Pulaski  and  Baron  STEUBEN. 

***** 

The  Speaker  laid  before  the  House  the  Senate  amend- 
ment to  the  bill  (H.  R.  16)  to  provide  for  the  erection  at 
Washington,  D.  C.,  of  bronze  equestrian  statues  to  the 
memory  of  the  late  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski  and 
Baron  STEUBEN. 

Mr.  McCLEARY.  I  move  that  the  House  agree  to  the 
Senate  amendment. 


1 68  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steubsn 

Mr.  BURTON.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  should  like  to  inquire 
what  the  Senate  amendment  is.  I  understand  that  it 
moves  to  strike  out  all  after  the  enacting  clause,  and  we 
should  like  to  know  more  about  it. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  amendment  will  be  read,  if  de- 
sired. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Strike  out  all  after  the  enacting  clause  and  insert: 

"That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  D.  C.,  a  statue 
of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Casimir  Pulaski,  of  Poland,  who  came  to  America 
and,  after  declaring  his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  Republic, 
offered  his  sword  to  Washington,  under  whose  leadership  in  the  great  strug- 
gle for  American  independence  he  lost  his  life  at  the  siege  of  Savannah, 
Ga.,  October  n,  1779;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting  said 
statue  with  a  suitable  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  sum 
of  $50,000,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropri- 
ated, out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the 
same  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  composed 
of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library 
of  the  Senate,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress,  and  the  president  of  the 
Pulaski  Monument  Polish  central  committee. 

"SEC.  2.  That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  D.  C., 
a  statue  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  AUGUSTUS  HENRY  FERDINAND,  Baron 
VON  STEUBEN,  major  general  and  inspector  general  in  the  Continental 
Army;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting  said  statue  with  a 
suitable  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  sum  of  $50,000,  or 
so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated,  out  of  any 
money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  same  to  be  ex- 
pended under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  composed  of  the  Secre- 
tary of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  Sen- 
ate, and  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

"SEC.  3.  That  the  commissions  herein  created  are  empowered,  respec- 
tively, to  select  sites  for  the  statues  authorized  by  this  act  on  ground  be- 
longing to  the  Government:  Provided,  That  said  statues  shall  not  be  lo- 
cated in  the  grounds  of  the  Capitol  or  Library  of  Congress." 

Amend  the  title  so  as  to  read: 

"An  act  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  statues  to 
the  memory  of  Brigadier  General  Count  Pulaski  and  Major  General  Baron 
VON  STEUBEN,  of  the  Continental  Army." 


Proceedings  in  Congress  169 

The  SPEAKER.  The  question  is  on  the  motion  of  the 
gentleman  from  Minnesota  that  the  House  concur  in  the 
Senate  amendment. 

The  motion  was  agreed  to. 

FEBRUARY  24,  1903 

Mr.  Wachter,  from  the  Committee  on  Enrolled  Bills, 
reported  that  they  had  examined  and  found  truly  enrolled 
a  bill  of  the  following  title,  when  the  Speaker  signed  the 
same: 

H.  R.  16.  An  act  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of 
statues  to  the  memory  of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Pulaski  and  Maj.  Gen.  Baron 
VON  STEUBEN,  of  the  Continental  Army. 

SENATE 

FEBRUARY  25,  1903 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives  by  Mr. 
W.  J.  Browning,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  Speaker 
of  the  House  had  signed  the  following  enrolled  bill,  and 
it  was  thereupon  signed  by  the  President  pro  tempore: 

A  bill  (H.  R.  16)  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  statues 
to  the  memory  of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Pulaski  and  Maj.  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN, 
of  the  Continental  Army. 

HOUSE 

FEBRUARY  26,  1903 

Mr.  Wachter,  from  the  Committee  on  Enrolled  Bills, 
reported  that  they  had  presented  this  day  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  for  his  approval  a  bill  of  the 
following  title: 

H.  R.  16.  An  act  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  statues 
to  the  memory  of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Pulaski  and  Maj .  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN, 
of  the  Continental  Army. 

FEBRUARY  28,  1903 

Mr.  Barnes,  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  informed  the  House  that  the  President 


1 70  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

had  approved  and  signed  a  bill  of  the  following  title  on 
February  27,  1903: 

H.  R.  16.  An  act  to  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  of  statues 
to  the  memory  of  Brig.  Gen.  Count  Pulaski  and  Maj.  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN, 
of  the  Continental  Army. 

The  act  (Public,  No.  120)  follows: 

[Public,  No.  120] 

AN  ACT  To  provide  for  the  erection  at  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  of  statues  to 
the  memory  of  Brigadier  General  Count  Pulaski  and  Major  General  Baron  VON  STBUBBN, 
of  the  Continental  Army 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States 
of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city 
of  Washington,  District  of  Columbia,  a  statue  of  Brigadier  General  Count 
Casimir  Pulaski,  of  Poland,  who  came  to  America  and,  after  declaring  his 
intention  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  Republic,  offered  his  sword  to  Wash- 
ington, under  whose  leadership  in  the  great  struggle  for  American  inde- 
pendence he  lost  his  life  at  the  siege  of  Savannah,  Georgia,  October  eleventh, 
seventeen  hundred  and  seventy-nine;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and 
erecting  said  statue  with  a  suitable  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a 
site,  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  neces- 
sary, is  hereby  appropriated  out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  other- 
wise appropriated,  the  same  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  com- 
mission to  be  composed  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library  of  the  Senate,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Library  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress, 
and  the  president  of  the  Pulaski  Monument  Polish  central  committee. 

SEC.  2.  That  there  shall  be  erected  in  the  city  of  Washington,  District 
of  Columbia,  a  statue  of  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  AUGUSTUS  HENRY  FERDINAND, 
Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  major  general  and  inspector  general  in  the  Continental 
Army;  and  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  and  erecting  said  statue  with  a  suit- 
able pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  is  hereby  appropriated 
out  of  any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  same  to 
be  expended  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  composed  of  the 
Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  Sen- 
ate, and  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

SEC.  3.  That  the  commissions  herein  created  are  empowered,  respectively, 
to  select  sites  for  the  statues  authorized  by  this  Act  on  ground  belonging 
to  the  Government:  Provided,  That  said  statues  shall  not  be  located  in  the 
grounds  of  the  Capitol  or  Library  of  Congress. 

Approved,  February  27,  1903. 


SIXTY-FIRST  CONGRESS,  SECOND  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Congressional  Record] 

HOUSE 

DECEMBER  21,  1909 

A  bill  (H.  R.  16222)  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the 
statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN,  introduced  by  Mr.  Bar- 
tholdt,  of  Missouri,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
the  Library. 

The  bill  reads  as  follows: 

[H.  R.  16222,  Sixty-first  Congress,  second  session] 

In  the  House  of  Representatives 

December  21,  1909 

Mr.    Bartholdt  introduced  the  following  bill;  which  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  the  Library  and  ordered  to  be  printed 

A  BILL  For  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  General  VON  STBUBEN 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States 
of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  expenditure  of  the  sum  of  five 
thousand  dollars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  be,  and  the  same 
is  hereby,  authorized  to  be  made  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of 
State  and  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Library  for  the  erection  of  a  bronze 
replica  of  the  statue  of  General  VON  STEUBEN  authorized  to  be  erected  in 
Washington;  said  replica  to  be  presented  to  His  Majesty  the  German  Em- 
peror and  the  German  Nation  in  return  for  the  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great, 
presented  by  the  Emperor  to  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

JANUARY  12,  1910 

Mr.  McCall,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  to 
which  was  referred  the  bill  of  the  House  (H.  R.  16222) 
for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN,  reported  the  same  with  amendment,  accom- 
panied by  a  report  (No.  128),  which  said  bill  and  report 
were  referred  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on 
the  state  of  the  Union. 

The  report  (No.  128)  follows: 

171 


1 72  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

[House  Report  No.  128,  Sixty-first  Congress,  second  session] 

REPUCA  OP  STATUE  OF  GEN.  VON  STEUBEN 

JANUARY   12,   1910. — Committed  to  the  Committee  of  the    Whole    House 
on  the  state  of  the  Union  and  ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  McCall,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  submitted  the  follow- 
ing report  (to  accompany  H.  R.  16222): 

The  Committee  on  the  Library,  to  whom  was  referred  the  bill  (H.  R. 
16222)  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN, 
have  considered  the  same  and  report  that  it  be  amended,  and  as  amended 
that  it  do  pass. 

The  gift  of  the  German  Emperor  to  the  United  States  of  the  statue  of 
Frederick  the  Great  stands  in  the  grounds  of  the  War  College  in  the  city 
of  Washington,  and  it  is  in  recognition  of  this  gift  that  it  is  proposed 
to  give  to  the  Emperor  of  Germany  and  to  the  German  Nation  the  replica  of 
the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  authorized  to  be  erected  in  Washington. 

Baron  VON  STEUBEN  was  a  German  nobleman  and  a  close  friend  of 
Frederick  the  Great,  and  it  was  with  the  cordial  approval  of  Frederick 
that  VON  STEUBEN  came  to  America  and  tendered  his  services  to  Gen. 
Washington  as  aid-de-camp  and  drillmaster  of  the  American  armies. 

Amend  by  striking  out  in  line  10  the  words  "in  return  for"  and  in- 
sert in  lieu  thereof  the  words  "in  recognition  of  the  gift  of." 

JANUARY  17,  1910 

The  following  executive  communication  was  taken 
from  the  Speaker's  table,  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Appropriations,  and  ordered  printed : 

A  letter  from  the  Acting  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
transmitting  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  of 
War  submitting  an  estimate  of  appropriation  for  un- 
veiling and  dedicating  a  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN  (H.  Doc.  No.  545). 

The  document  reads  as  follows: 

[House  Document  No.  545.  Sixty-first  Congress,  second  session] 

STATUE  OP  GEN.  BARON  VON  STEUBEN 

Letter  from  the  Acting  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  transmitting  a  copy  of 
a  communication  from  the  Secretary  of  War  submitting  an  estimate  of 
appropriation  for  unveiling  and  dedicating  a  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN 

JANUARY   17,    1910. — Referred   to   the    Committee   on   Appropriations   and 
ordered  to  be  printed 

TREASURY  DEPARTMENT, 

OFFICE  OF  THE  SECRETARY, 

Washington,  January  15,  igio. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith,  for  fhe  consideration  of 
Congress,  copy  of  a  communication  from  the  Secretary  of  War,  of  the  i4th 


Proceedings  in  Congress  173 

instant,  submitting  an  estimate  of  appropriation  in  the  sum  of  $3,000,  for 
unveiling  and  dedicating  the  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  for 
each  and  every  purpose  connected  therewith. 
Respectfully, 

CHARLES  D.  HILLES, 

Acting  Secretary, 
The  SPEAKER  OP  THE  HOUSE  OP  REPRESENTATIVES. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
Washington,  January  14,  igio. 

SIR:  I  have  the  honor  to  forward  herewith,  for  transmission  to  Congress, 
an  estimate  of  an  appropriation  of  $3,000  required  by  the  VON  STEUBEN 
Statue  Commission  for  expenses  incident  to  unveiling  and  dedicating  the 
statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  the  city  of  Washington,  which  the 
sculptor  expects  will  be  erected  and  completed  by  the  autumn  of  1910. 
Very  respectfully, 

J.  M.  DICKINSON, 

Secretary  of  War. 
The  SECRETARY  OP  THE  TREASURY. 


Estimates  of  appropriations  required  for  the  service  of  the  fiscal  year  ending 
June  JO,  ipn,  by  the  Von  Steuben  Statue  Commission 

WAR    DEPARTMENT — BUILDINGS    AND    GROUNDS    IN    AND    AROUND 
WASHINGTON 

Unveiling  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN: 

For  unveiling  and  dedicating  the  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN  and  for  each  and  every  purpose  connected  there- 
with (submitted) $3,  ooo 

NOTE. — By  an  act  of  Congress  approved  February  27,  1903  (32  Stats., 
pt.  i,  p.  908),  Congress  appropriated  the  sum  of  $50,000  for  procuring  and 
erecting  in  the  city  of  Washington  a  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN, 
with  a  suitable  pedestal,  and  for  the  preparation  of  a  site,  the  money  to  be 
expended  under  the  direction  of  a  commission  to  be  composed  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the 
Senate,  and  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 

Under  the  wording  of  the  act  no  portion  of  the  appropriation  can  be 
used  to  defray  the  expense  of  unveiling  the  monument;  moreover,  the 
entire  amount  will  probably  be  needed  for  the  purposes  specified  by  the 
act.  It  is  necessary,  therefore,  that  an  additional  appropriation  be  pro- 
vided for  the  ceremonies  incident  to  the  dedication  of  the  monument, 
which  the  sculptor  expects  will  be  erected  and  completed  by  the  autumn 
of  1910. 

The  commission  was  not  made  aware  of  the  necessity  for  the  appropria- 
tion requested  in  time  to  include  an  estimate  for  it  in  the  Book  of  Esti- 
mates of  Appropriations  for  1911.  (/.  M.  Dickinson,  Secretary  of  War, 
chairman  Von  Steuben  Statue  Commission.) 


1 74  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

FEBRUARY  9,  1910 

Mr.  McCALL.  Mr.  Speaker,  by  direction  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library,  I  call  up  the  bill  (H.  R.  16222) 
for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN,  which  I  send  to  the  desk  and  ask  to  have 
read. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Be  it  enacted,  etc.,  That  the  expenditure  of  the  sum  of  $5,0x20,  or  so  much 
thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  authorized  to  be 
made  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  State  and  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library  for  the  erection  of  a  bronze  replica  of  the  statue  of 
Gen.  VON  STEUBEN,  authorized  to  be  erected  in  Washington;  said  replica  to 
be  presented  to  His  Majesty  the  German  Emperor  and  the  German  Nation  in 
return  for  the  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great,  presented  by  the  Emperor  to 
the  people  of  the  United  States. 

With  the  following  amendment: 

Line  10,  strike  out  the  words  "in  return  for,"  and  insert  in  lieu  thereof 
the  words  "in  recognition  of  the  gift  of." 

Mr.  McCALL.  Mr.  Speaker,  as  this  involves  a  very  simple 
proposition,  I  ask  unanimous  consent  that  it  be  considered 
in  the  House  as  in  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  gentleman  from  Massachusetts  asks 
unanimous  consent  to  consider  the  bill  in  the  House  as  in 
the  Committee  of  the  Whole.  Is  there  objection?  [After 
a  pause.]  The  Chair  hears  none. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  I  will  move  to  strike  out  the  last  word, 
or  I  will  speak  to  the  committee  amendment. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  gentleman  from  Minnesota  asks 
recognition  on  the  committee  amendment. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  For  the  purpose  of  asking  a  question,  and 
that  is,  Whether  it  is  the  understanding  of  the  gentleman 
from  Missouri,  the  author  of  the  bill,  that  this  language 
carries  an  appropriation  of  $5,000  for  that  purpose? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  That  is  my  understanding,  and  that 
was  the  purpose  of  the  committee. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  It  authorizes  the  expenditure,  but  there 
is  no  appropriation,  and  we  will  have  to  make  the  appro- 
priation hereafter,  if  it  is  done. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  175 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  do  not  care  to  occupy 
the  attention  of  the  House  unless 

Mr.  MANN.  Will  the  gentleman  yield  for  a  question? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Certainly. 

Mr.  MANN.  Does  the  gentleman  think  that  this  will 
have  a  tendency  toward  bringing  about  the  era  of  peace 
the  gentleman  is  so  urgent  to  bring  about  by  making 
these  gifts  back  and  forth  between  the  two  warlike  nations 
of  the  world? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Speaker,  in  answer  to  that  I  am 
happy  to  say  that  no  such  gifts  are  necessary  to  estab- 
lish an  era  of  peace  between  the  United  States  and 
Germany  [applause]  because  the  two  countries  have  main- 
tained a  traditional  friendship  from  the  time  of  Fred- 
erick the  Great. 

A  few  years  ago  the  German  Emperor  presented  to  this 
country  a  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great.  It  was  a  token 
of  the  traditional  friendship  between  Germany  and  the 
United  States.  Frederick  the  Great  was  a  friend  and 
well-wisher  of  George  Washington,  and  the  first  of  European 
monarchs  to  formally  recognize  the  independence  of  the 
American  Colonies.  In  remembrance  of  these  historical 
facts  the  statue  was  presented  by  the  German  Emperor 
and  accepted  by  the  American  Government.  No  return 
has  ever  been  made  on  the  part  of  this  country  for  this 
act  of  international  courtesy.  It  is,  therefore,  proposed 
in  the  pending  bill  to  present  to  the  German  Emperor 
and  Nation,  in  recognition  of  their  gift,  a  replica  of  the 
monument  which  Congress  has  authorized  to  be  erected 
in  this  city  to  the  memory  of  Baron  STEUBEN,  the  great 
drillmaster  of  the  Revolutionary  Army.  A  replica  of  the 
STEUBEN  Statue  is  generally  regarded  as  a  most  fitting 
object  for  a  gift  to  Germany,  for  the  reason  that  the 
baron,  who  left  the  Berlin  court  to  tender  his  services  to 
Gen.  Washington,  was  a  friend  of  both  Washington  and 
Frederick  the  Great,  and  the  gift  will,  no  doubt,  be 
received  by  the  great  ruler  of  the  German  Empire  in 


1 76  Statue  of  Baron  -von  Steuben 

behalf  of  his  people  in  the  same  spirit  in  which  it  is  to 
be  tendered. 

The  bill,  which  has  the  unanimous  recommendation  of 
the  Committee  on  the  Library,  carries  an  appropriation 
of  only  $5,000,  $4,000  of  which  will  be  the  cost  of  the 
replica  and  $1,000  to  cover  the  expenses  of  shipping,  and 
so  forth.  I  sincerely  hope  that  the  bill  may  be  passed 
without  further  debate. 

Mr.  SULZER.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  would  like  to  ask  the 
gentleman  a  question,  and  that  is:  Whether  he  does  not 
think  that  it  would  be  better  for  the  liberty  and  freedom 
of  all  the  people  throughout  the  world  to  send  to  Ger- 
many a  statue  of  George  Washington  instead  of  the  statue 
of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Well,  that  proposition  was  not  before 
us  and  is  not  before  us  now,  but  if  my  friend  from  New 
York  will  make  a  motion  to  that  effect  I  should  vote 
"aye"  upon  it. 

Mr.  SULZER.  Mr.  Speaker,  then,  in  order  to  test  the 
patriotic  sense  of  the  Members  of  the  House,  I  move  to 
amend  by  inserting  the  statue  of  George  Washington 
instead  of  the  statue  of  STEUBEN. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  the  amendment  of  the  gentleman  an 
amendment  to  the  amendment  or  a  substitute  for  the 
amendment? 

Mr.  STAFFORD.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  make  the  point  of  order 
that  the  amendment  is  not  germane. 

The  SPEAKER.  Does  the  gentleman  from  New  York 
desire  to  be  heard  on  the  point  of  order? 

Mr.  SULZER.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  do  not  desire  to  be  heard 
on  the  point  of  order,  although  I  do  not  think  the  point 
of  order  can  possibly  lie  against  this  amendment.  I 
have  a  right,  I  believe,  to  move  an  amendment  to  this 
bill.  It  is  before  the  House  for  the  purpose  of  being 
amended  or  perfected. 

Mr.  McCALL.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  think  the  gentleman  from 
New  York  would  have  to  make  his  amendment  a  little 


Proceedings  in  Congress  177 

more  definite;  he  would  have  to  specify  what  statue  of 
Washington  he  desires  to  have  sent.  We  have  a  number 
in  the  city  of  Washington. 

Mr.  BARTHOU>T.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  should  like  to  be  heard. 

The  SPEAKER.  For  or  against  the  point  of  order? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  For  the  point  of  order. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  Chair  is  prepared  to  rule.  The 
gentleman  from  New  York  does  not  desire  to  be  heard 
on  the  point  of  order.  The  Chair  sustains  the  point  of 
order,  as  under  the  precedents  it  is  clearly  not  germane. 
The  object  of  the  bill  is  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  a 
statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN — 

Mr.  SULZER.  A  parliamentary  inquiry,  Mr.  Speaker 

The  SPEAKER  (continuing).  And  it  is  not  a  general 
bill  to  erect  a  monument,  but  it  is  confined  to  a  monu- 
ment or  a  replica  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN. 

Mr.  SULZER.   Just  a  parliamentary  inquiry,  Mr.  Speaker. 

The  SPEAKER.   Certainly. 

Mr.  SuiyZER.  I  would  like  to  know  if  George  Wash- 
ington is  out  of  order.  [I/aughter.] 

The  SPEAKER.  In  the  present  company,  yes.  [Great 
laughter.] 

The  question  was  taken,  and  the  amendments  of  the 
committee  were  agreed  to. 

The  bill  as  amended  was  ordered  to  be  engrossed  for 
a  third  reading;  and  being  engrossed,  it  was  accordingly 
read  the  third  time  and  passed. 

Mr.  BARTnoivDT.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  ask  unanimous  con- 
sent to  extend  my  remarks  in  the  Record. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  there  objection?  [After  a  pause.] 
The  Chair  hears  none. 

SENATE 

FEBRUARY  10,  1910 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  W.  J. 
Browning,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  House  had 
passed  the  following  bill: 


iyg  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

H.  R.  16222.  An  act  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN. 

***** 
The  bill    H.   R.    16222,   an    act    for  the    erection   of  a 
replica   of   the   statue   of  Gen.    VON   STEUBEN,   was   read 
twice  by  its  title  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the 
Library. 

MAY  16,  1910 

Mr.  Root,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  to 
whom  was  referred  a  bill  (H.  R.  16222)  for  the  erection 
of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN,  reported 
the  same  without  amendment  and  submitted  a  report 
thereon  (Rept.  No.  693). 

The  report  (No.  693)  follows: 

[Senate  Report  No.  693,  Sixty-first  Congress,  second  session) 

REPLICA  OP  STATUE  OP  GEN.  VON  STEUBEN 
MAY  16,  1910. — Ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  Root,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Library,  submitted  the  following 
report  (to  accompany  H,  R.  16222): 

The  Committee  on  the  Library,  to  whom  was  referred  the  bill  (H.  R.  16222) 
entitled  "An  act  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen. 
STEUBEN,"  have  had  the  same  under  consideration  and  report  it  back  without 
amendment.  The  report  of  the  House  Committee  on  the  Library  on  this  bill 
is  reprinted  herewith. 

HOUSE 

MAY  27,  1910 

The  House  resolved  itself  into  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole  House  on  the  state  of  the  Union  for  the  further 
consideration  of  the  sundry  civil  appropriation  bill,  with 
Mr.  Mann  in  the  chair. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Unveiling  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN:  For  unveiling  and  dedi- 
cating the  statue  of  Gen.  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  for  each  and  every  pur- 
pose connected  therewith,  $2,500. 

Mr.  MACON.  Mr.  Chairman,  on  that  paragraph  I  reserve 
the  point  of  order. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  will  state  for  the  infor- 
mation of  the  gentleman  from  Arkansas  that  February  27, 


Proceedings  in  Congress  179 

1903,  Congress  appropriated  $50,000  for  the  erection  of 
this  statue.  No  part  of  that  appropriation  that  was  then 
made  available  can  be  expended  for  the  unveiling  of  the 
statue,  and  this  is  for  the  purpose,  now  that  the  statue  is 
completed  and  will  be  erected  and  ready  for  unveiling 
during  this  year,  of  enabling  the  statue  to  be  unveiled 
and  to  contribute  to  that  ceremony  what  Congress  did  in 
respect  to  the  two  statues  unveiled  here  a  couple  of  weeks 
ago. 

Mr.  MACON.  Was  the  entire  $50,000  expended? 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  The  entire  $50,000 — I  can  not  answer 
whether  it  has  all  been  expended  or  not,  but  under  the 
language  of  the  appropriation  not  a  dollar  of  it  can  be 
expended  on  account  of  the  unveiling.  It  is  not  available 
and  can  not  be  expended,  by  the  language  of  the  act,  for 
that  purpose. 

Mr.  MACON.  My  reason  for  asking  the  question  was  to 
ascertain  whether  any  part  of  the  $50,000  was  unexpended 
out  of  which  this  amount  of  $2,500  might  be  taken. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  No  matter  how  large  the  balance  of  the 
appropriation  might  be,  none  of  it  could  be  expended  for 
this  purpose,  because  the  language  carrying  the  original 
appropriation  provides  it  shall  not  be  expended  for  the 
unveiling  of  the  monument. 

Mr.  MACON.  Has  this  monument  been  erected? 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  It  has  not  been  erected  yet;  but  I  under- 
stand it  is  completed  and  will  be  erected  this  fall  sometime 
or  next  spring. 

Mr.  BATES.  The  language  of  the  appropriation  was  "as 
much  as  might  be  necessary,"  was  it  not? 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  Yes. 

Mr.  MACON.  I  will  say  to  the  gentleman  in  charge  of 
the  bill,  Mr.  Chairman,  that,  judging  by  the  tardy  progress 
of  the  work  on  the  Grant  Monument,  I  do  not  think  this 
appropriation  will  be  needed  for  several  years. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  I  will  say  to  the  gentleman  from  Arkansas 
[Mr.  Macon]  that  this  appropriation  has  been  expended 


180  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

by  a  commission  composed  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Library  in  the  Senate, 
and  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Library  in  the 
House  of  Representatives.  Now,  the  Secretary  of  War 
says  the  commission  was  not  made  aware  of  the  necessity 
for  the  appropriation  requested  in  time  to  include  an  esti- 
mate for  it  in  the  Book  of  Estimates  for  appropriations 
for  1911.  And  he  also  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  no 
part  of  the  original  appropriation  is  available  for  this 
purpose.  And  I  recall  that  some  time  ago,  when  this 
matter  was  before  the  House,  the  gentleman  from  Mis- 
souri [Mr.  Bartholdt]  stated  that  this  monument  was 
completed,  and  it  was  to  be  erected  and  unveiled  this 
year.  That  is  my  recollection  of  his  statement. 

Mr.  MACON.  Is  he  a  member  of  the  commission? 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  No.  The  commission  consists  of  no  one 
but  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Library  in  the  Senate,  and  the  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Library  in  the  House. 

Mr.  MACON.  The  gentleman  from  Minnesota  has  had 
no  suggestion  from  them  as  to  when  the  unveiling  would 
take  place? 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  Next  fall  sometime;  about  the  ist  of 
November.  And  the  money  appropriated  here  would 
not  be  expended  until  the  monument  was  ready  for  un- 
veiling, but  it  will  be  during  the  calendar  year  1910 — 
sometime  about  the  ist  of  November. 

Mr.  MACON.  Mr.  Chairman,  $50,000  having  been  appro- 
priated and  used,  I  am  not  disposed  to  retard  the  progress 
of  the  erection  and  unveiling  of  the  monument  by  insist- 
ing upon  the  point  of  order.  I  therefore  withdraw  it. 

The  CHAIRMAN.  The  gentleman  withdraws  the  point  of 
order.  Under  the  unanimous-consent  agreement  the  Clerk 
will  proceed  to  read  on  page  73,  line  12. 

Mr.  CAMPBELL.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  would  like  to  ask  the 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Appropriations  what  items 
of  expense  are  intended  to  be  covered  by  this  $2,500? 


Proceedings  in  Congress  181 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  The  same  items  of  expense  as  were  in- 
cluded in  the  unveiling  of  the  two  monuments — one  on 
Pennsylvania  Avenue  and  one  in  Lafayette  Park,  namely, 
the  Kosciuszko  and  Pulaski.  The  seating  arrangements 
will  constitute  the  principal  item  of  expense. 

Mr.  CAMPBELL.  I  have  observed  that  when  seating 
capacity  is  being  arranged  for  the  unveiling  of  these  monu- 
ments new  lumber  is  invariably  used  in  each  instance, 
and  I  want  to  know  if  the  Government  buys  and  pays  for 
material  to  be  used  for  the  one  occasion  in  each  of  these 
instances  or  whether  there  is  a  salvage  after  the  use  of  the 
lumber?  It  looked  to  me  like  a  waste  of  material  to  buy 
new  lumber  every  time  seating  capacity  is  provided  for 
the  unveiling  of  these  statues. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  I  will  say  to  the  gentleman  that  the  con- 
ditions under  which  the  lumber  is  obtained  amounts  prac- 
tically to  a  lease  of  the  lumber.  It  is  bought  on  condition 
that  it  is  to  be  taken  back  by  the  firm  from  which  it  is 
purchased  after  the  unveiling  has  taken  place,  at  a  price 
agreed  upon  between  the  dealer  and  the  commission.  It 
is  not  an  absolute  purchase.  It  is  only  a  conditional  one. 
It  has  to  be  taken  back. 

The  Clerk  proceeded  with  the  reading  of  the  bill. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  wanted  to  suggest  an 
amendment  to  this  paragraph,  increasing  the  amount  from 
$2,500  to  $3,500 

Mr.  MACON.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  make  the  point  of  order 
that  the  amendment  comes  too  late.  The  paragraph  has 
been  passed. 

The  CHAIRMAN.  The  gentleman  was  on  his  feet  asking 
for  recognition  when  the  Clerk  commenced  to  read  on 
page  73.  The  gentleman  from  Missouri  [Mr.  Bartholdt] 
offers  an  amendment,  which  the  Clerk  will  report. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Strike  out  "two"  and  insert  "three,"  page  68,  line  7,  so  that  it  will  read 
"$3,500." 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  understand  that  the 
appropriation  for  the  recent  unveiling  of  the  Pulaski  and 


1 82  Statue  of  Baron  Don  Steuben 

Kosciuszko  statues  was  $2,500  and  the  same  amount  has 
been  inserted  for  the  STEUBEN  Statue.  But  I  am  informed 
that  greater  facilities  will  be  necessary  for  the  unveiling  of 
the  STEUBEN  Monument  than  were  required  recently.  It 
is  intended  that  from  3,000  to  4,000  singers  will  be  present 
for  the  purpose  of  singing  songs.  A  platform  will  have  to 
be  erected  for  them,  and  I  understand  this  will  entail  an 
expense  of  at  least  $1,000  or  more  if  these  singers,  who 
will  come  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States — from  the 
West,  the  South,  the  North,  and  the  East — are  to  be  ac- 
commodated. I  seriously  hope  that  this  small  increase  of 
expenditure  will  be  made  for  their  accommodation. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  trust  the  amendment 
will  not  be  agreed  to.  I  do  not  think  that  the  expenses 
incident  to  the  unveiling  of  any  of  these  statues  ought  to 
be  more  than  $2,500.  That  was  the  amount  that  we  ap- 
propriated for  both  of  the  statues  that  were  unveiled  here 
several  weeks  ago.  It  seems  to  me  that  $3,000  would  be 
an  exorbitant  amount  to  be  expended  for  this  purpose, 
because  the  main  item  of  expense  is  providing  seating 
capacity  for  those  who  attend.  I  do  not  think  that  we 
ever  appropriated  as  much  as  $2,500  before  we  appropri- 
ated for  the  unveiling  of  the  Kosciuszko  and  Pulaski 
statues. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  desire  to  say  to  the 
gentleman  from  Minnesota  that  I  did  not  bring  the  mat- 
ter to  the  attention  of  the  Committee  on  Appropriations, 
and  especially  of  the  distinguished  chairman,  because  the 
necessity  of  this  additional  appropriation  has  only  recently 
become  apparent.  The  fact  is,  Mr.  Chairman,  that  it  is 
proposed  to  make  this  the  greatest  demonstration  of  Ger- 
man-Americans that  has  ever  taken  place  in  the  United 
States.  I  am  informed  that  at  least  50,000  people  will  be 
here,  as  compared,  perhaps,  with  five  or  six  thousand  who 
attended  when  the  Pulaski  and  Kosciuszko  statues  were 
unveiled.  Naturally,  the  Government  should  do  some- 
thing toward  accommodating  these  great  masses  of  people. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  183 

Mr.  Cox  of  Indiana.  What  is  the  estimate  of  the  crowd 
that  came  here  the  other  day  to  attend  the  unveiling  of 
the  statues? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Five  or  six  thousand. 

Mr.  Cox  of  Indiana.  And  the  gentleman  estimates  how 
many  will  be  here  on  this  occasion? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  At  least  50,000. 

Mr.  Cox  of  Indiana.  A  very  large  number  will  come 
here  from  Germany. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  I  think  the  gentleman  underestimated 
the  number  of  those  who  attended  the  unveiling  of  the 
two  statues  recently.  My  information  is  that  there  were 
probably  a  great  many  more  than  5,000  or  6,000. 

Mr.  Cox  of  Indiana.  Did  the  seating  capacity  fill  the 
bill  all  right  the  other  day  ? 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  Yes.  Of  course  the  proceedings  do  not 
occupy  a  great  deal  of  time,  and  the  seating  capacity  is 
provided  mainly  for  the  societies  under  whose  jurisdiction 
the  statue  has  been  prepared  and  erected  and  distinguished 
guests.  Now,  it  is  not  proposed  to  provide  a  seating 
capacity  for  10,000  or  15,000  or  20,000  people.  These 
exercises  do  not  last  very  long. 

Mr.  Cox  of  Indiana.  But  they  are  very  important. 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  And  the  German-Americans  and  the 
Polanders  and  the  Americans  can  stand  up  a  little  while. 
If  we  undertook  to  provide  seating  capacity  for  all  who 
attended,  $3,000  would  not  be  a  drop  in  the  bucket. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  At  least  45,000  people  would  have  to 
stand  up.  I  merely  wish  to  call  attention  to  the  organ- 
izations that  will  participate  in  this  coming  event.  There 
is  the  National  German  Alliance,  composed  of  2,000,000 
citizens  of  the  United  States;  the  North  American  Athletic 
Union,  with  over  100,000  citizens;  the  Eastern  American 
and  Western  American  Singer  Societies,  organizations 
comprising  about  250,000  members.  Under  the  auspices 
of  these  organizations  these  unveiling  ceremonies  will  take 
place;  and,  as  I  say,  the  seating  capacity  will,  of  course, 
have  to  be  somewhat  enlarged. 


Statue  of  Baron  i)on  Steuben 


We  can  not  possibly  seat  all  those  who  want  to  attend; 
but  for  the  singers  who  want  to  contribute  to  the  dignity 
of  the  occasion  by  music  and  song  and  who  are  contributing 
liberally  out  of  their  own  pockets  by  coming  to  the  National 
Capital,  we  should  at  least  have  a  place  for  them  to  be 
seated  and  a  platform  from  which  they  can  render  their 
songs. 

Mr.  FITZGERALD.  Will  the  gentleman  yield  for  a  question  ? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Certainly. 

Mr.  FITZGERALD.  Where  is  this  statue  to  be  unveiled? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  On  Lafayette  Square;  the  corner  near- 
est to  Connecticut  Avenue. 

Mr.  STAFFORD.  The  northwest  corner. 

Mr.  FITZGERALD.  There  is  hardly  any  place  there  where 
you  could  build  a  platform  that  would  hold  4,000  people. 
The  platforms  are  generally  built  for  the  accommodation 
of  the  distinguished  representatives  of  the  different  organ- 
izations who  have  some  intimate  connection  with  the  memory 
of  the  person  to  be  honored,  and  it  is  that  they  may  be  given 
an  opportunity  to  be  seated  while  the  addresses  are  being 
delivered.  It  has  never  been  possible  to  provide  seating 
accommodation  for  all  the  visitors  that  would  come  to 
Washington. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  That  is  a  matter  of  course. 

Mr.  FITZGERALD.  It  would  not  be  possible  to  build  a 
platform  where  4,000  people  could  be  accommodated. 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Mr.  Chairman,  I  am  merely  expressing 
the  wishes  of  those  who  have  this  matter  in  charge. 

Mr.  FITZGERALD.  My  understanding  is  that  this  money 
is  used  not  only  for  the  stands  but  for  decorations,  for 
engraving,  for  invitations,  and  a  number  of  other  inci- 
dental expenses. 

The  CHAIRMAN.  The  time  of  the  gentleman  from  Mis- 
souri has  expired.  The  question  is  on  agreeing  to  the 
amendment. 

The  question  was  taken,  and  the  Chairman  announced 
that  the  nays  seemed  to  have  it. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  185 

Mr.  BARTHOUDT.  Division,  Mr.  Chairman. 

The  committee  divided,  and  there  were — ayes,  28 ;  noes,  35. 

So  the  amendment  was  rejected. 

SENATE 

JUNE  20,  1910 

Mr.  WETMORE.  I  ask  unanimous  consent  for  the  pres- 
ent consideration  of  Order  of  Business  No.  653,  being  the 
bill  (H.  R.  16222)  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the 
statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN. 

The  Secretary  read  the  bill,  and,  there  being  no  ob- 
jection, the  Senate,  as  in  Committee  of  the  Whole,  pro- 
ceeded to  its  consideration.  It  appropriates  $5,000  for 
the  erection  of  a  bronze  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN,  authorized  to  be  erected  in  Washington,  the 
replica  to  be  presented  to  His  Majesty  the  German  Em- 
peror and  the  German  Nation  in  recognition  of  the  gift 
of  the  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great,  presented  by  the 
Emperor  to  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

The  bill  was  reported  to  the  Senate  without  amend- 
ment, ordered  to  a  third  reading,  read  the  third  time, 

and  passed. 

HOUSE 

JUNE  21,  1910 

Mr.  Wilson  of  Illinois,  from  the  Committee  on  En- 
rolled Bills,  reported  that  they  had  examined  and 
found  truly  enrolled  a  bill  of  the  following  title,  when 
the  Speaker  signed  the  same: 

H.  R.  16222.  An  act  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN. 

SENATE 

JUNE  22,  1910 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by 
C.  R.  McKenney,  its  enrolling  clerk,  announced  that  the 
Speaker  of  the  House  had  signed  the  following  enrolled 
bill,  and  it  was  thereupon  signed  by  the  Vice  President: 

H.  R.  16222.  An  act  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN. 


1 86  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

HOUSE 

JUNE  22,  1910 

Mr.  Wilson  of  Illinois,  from  the  Committee  on  En- 
rolled Bills,  reported  that  this  day  they  had  presented  to 
the  President  of  the  United  States  for  his  approval  the 
following  bill: 

H.  R.  16222.  An  act  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN. 

JUNE  25,  1910 

Mr.  Latta,  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  informed  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives that  the  President  had  approved  and  signed  a  bill 
of  the  following  title  on  June  23,  1912- 

H.  R.  16222.  An  act  for  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN. 

The  act  (Public,  No.  260)  follows: 

[H.  R.  16222;  Public,  No.  260] 
AN  ACT  For  the  erection  of  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  General  VON  STBUBBN 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  expenditure  of  the  sum 
of  five  thousand  doll'ars,  or  so  much  thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  be,  and 
the  same  is  hereby,  authorized  to  be  made  under  the  direction  of  the  Sec- 
retary of  State  and  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Library  for  the  erection  of 
a  bronze  replica  of  the  statue  of  General  VON  STEUBEN  authorized  to  be 
erected  in  Washington;  said  replica  to  be  presented  to  His  Majesty  the 
German  Emperor  and  the  German  Nation  in  recognition  of  the  gift  of  the 
statue  of  Frederick  the  Great,  presented  by  the  Emperor  to  the  people  of 
the  United  States. 

Approved,  June  23,  1910. 

***** 

Mr.  TAWNEY.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  desire  to  call  up  the  joint 
resolution  appropriating  $5,000  for  the  production  of 
the  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN,  and  move 
to  suspend  the  rules  and  pass  the  resolution. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  gentleman  from  Minnesota  moves  to 
suspend  the  rules  and  pass  the  following  joint  resolution, 
which  the  Clerk  will  report. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  187 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows : 

Joint  resolution  240,  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  an  act  to  present  a  replica  of  the  statue  of 
Gen.  VON  STBUBBN  to  the  German  Emperor  and  to  the  German  Nation 

Resolved,  etc.,  That  there  is  hereby  appropriated,  out  of  any  money  in 
the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  sum  of  $5,000  to  enable  the 
Secretary  of  State,  pursuant  to  an  act  of  Congress  at  the  present  session 
of  Congress,  to  present  to  the  German  Emperor  and  German  people  a  rep- 
lica of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  that  is  to  be  erected  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  a  second  demanded?  [After  a 
pause.]  No  second  being  demanded,  the  question  is  on 
suspending  the  rules  and  passing  the  joint  resolution. 

The  question  was  taken;  and  two-thirds  having  voted 
in  favor  thereof,  the  rules  were  suspended  and  the  joint 
resolution  was  passed. 

SENATE 

JUNE  25,  1910 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  W.  J. 
Browning,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  House  had 
passed  a  joint  resolution  (H.  J.  Res.  240)  to  carry  out  the 
provisions  of  an  act  to  present  a  replica  of  the  statue  of 
Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  to  the  German  Emperor  and  to  the 
German  Nation,  in  which  it  requested  the  concurrence  of 
the  Senate. 

***** 

The  Vice  President  laid  before  the  Senate  the  joint 
resolution  (H.  J.  Res.  240)  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of 
an  act  to  present  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN  to  the  Emperor  and  to  the  German  Nation, 
which  was  read  twice  by  its  title. 

Mr.  WETMORE.  Mr.  President,  I  ask  unanimous  con- 
sent for  the  present  consideration  of  the  joint  resolution. 

There  being  no  objection,  the  Senate,  as  in  Committee 
of  the  Whole,  proceeded  to  consider  the  joint  resolution. 
It  proposes  to  appropriate  $5,000  to  enable  the  Secretary 
of  State,  pursuant  to  an  act  passed  at  the  present  ses- 
sion of  Congress,  to  present  to  the  ^German  Emperor  and 


1 88  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

to  the  German  people  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON 
STEUBEN  that  is  to  be  erected  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

The  joint  resolution  was  reported  to  the  Senate  with- 
out amendment,  ordered  to  a  third  reading,  read  the 
third  time,  and  passed. 

HOUSE 

JUNE  25,  1910 

A  message  from  the  Senate,  by  Mr.  Crockett,  one  of  its 
clerks,  announced  that  the  Senate  had  passed,  without 
amendment,  joint  resolution  of  the  following  title: 

H.  J.  Res.  240.  Joint  resolution  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  an  act  to 
present  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  to  the  German  Emperor 
and  to  the  German  nation. 

***** 

Mr.  Wilson  of  Illinois,  from  the  Committee  on  Enrolled 
Bills,  reported  that  this  day  they  had  presented  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States  for  his  approval  the  fol- 
lowing joint  resolution: 

H.  J.  Res.  240.  Joint  resolution  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  an  act  to 
present  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  to  the  German  Emperor 
and  to  the  German  nation. 

***** 

A  message  from  the  President  of  the  United  States,  by 
Mr.  Latta,  one  of  his  secretaries,  announced  that  the 
President  had,  on  June  25,  1910,  approved  and  signed 
bills  and  joint  resolution  of  the  following  titles: 

***** 

H.  J.  Res.  240.  Joint  resolution  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  an  act  to 
present  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  to  the  German  Emperor 
and  to  the  German  nation. 

The  resolution  (Public,  No.  50)  follows: 

[Public  resolution — No.  50] 
[H.  J.  Res.  340] 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  To  carry  out  the  provisions  of  an  act  to  present  a  replica  of  the  statue 
of  General  VON  STBUBBN  to  the  German  Emperor  and  to  the  German  nation 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  there  is  hereby  appropriated,  out  of 
any  money  in  the  Treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated,  the  sum  of  $5,000 


Proceedings  in  Congress  189 

to  enable  the  Secretary  of  State,  pursuant  to  an  act  passed  at  the  present 
session  of  Congress,  to  present  to  the  German  Emperor  and  to  the  German 
people  a  replica  of  the  statue  of  General  VON  STEUBEN  that  is  to  be  erected 
in  Washington,  District  of  Columbia. 
Approved,  June  25,  1910. 

*  *  *  *  * 

Mr.  Wilson  of  Illinois,  from  the  Committee  on  Enrolled 
Bills,  reported  that  this  day  they  had  presented  to  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  for  his  approval,  the  fol- 
lowing bill : 

H.  R.  25552.  An  act  making  appropriations  for  sundry 
civil  expenses  of  the  Government  for  the  fiscal  year  ending 
June  30,  1911,  and  for  other  purposes. 

This  act  (Public,  No.  266,  approved  June  25,  1910)  con- 
tained the  following  appropriation: 

Unveiling  statue  of  General  Baron  VON  STEUBEN:  For  unveiling  and 
dedicating  the  statue  of  General  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  for  each  and  every 
purpose  connected  therewith,  $2,500. 


SIXTY-FIRST  CONGRESS,  THIRD  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Congressional  Record] 

HOUSE 

JANUARY  28,  1911 

A  concurrent  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  58)  providing  for 
the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling  of  the 
statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  introduced  by  Mr.  Bar- 
tholdt,  of  Missouri,  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Printing. 

The  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  58)  follows: 

[H.  Con.  Res.  58,  Sixty-first  Congress,  third  session] 

In  the  House  of  Representatives 

January  28,  1911 

Mr.   Bartholdt  submitted  the  following  concurrent  resolution;  which  was 

referred  to  the  Committee  on  Printing  and  ordered  to  be  printed 
Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  there 
shall  be  printed  and  bound  in  the  form  of  eulogies,  with  accompanying  illus- 
trations, seventeen  thousand  one  hundred  copies  of  the  proceedings  upon 
the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December 
seventh,  nineteen  hundred  and  ten,  of  which  five  thousand  shall  be  for  the 
use  of  the  Senate,  ten  thousand  for  the  use  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
two  thousand  to  be  delivered  to  the  National  German-American  Alliance 
for  such  distribution  as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make,  and  the  remaining 
one  hundred  copies  shall  be  bound  in  full  morocco  and  distributed  through 
the  Department  of  State  to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  .and 
the  speakers  who  took  part  in  said  celebration. 

FEBRUARY  9,  1911 

Mr.  Cooper  of  Pennsylvania,  from  the  Committee  on 
Printing,  to  which  was  referred  the  resolution  of  the  House 
(H.  Con.  Res.  58)  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  pro- 
ceedings upon  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN,  reported  the  same  without  amendment,  accom- 
panied by  a  report  (No.  2111),  which  said  resolution  and 
report  were  referred  to  the  House  Calendar. 
190 


Proceedings  in  Congress  191 

The  report   (No.   2111)   follows: 

[House  Report  No.  2111,  Sixty-first  Congress,  third  session J 

PROCEEDINGS  AT  UNVEILING  OP  STATUE  OP  BARON  VON  STEUBEN 

FEBRUARY  9,  1911. — Committed  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on 
the  state  of  the  Union  and  ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  Cooper  of  Pennsylvania,  from  the  Committee  on  Printing,  submitted 
the  following  report  (to  accompany  H.  Con.  Res.  58) : 

The  Committee  on  Printing,  to  which  was  referred  House  concurrent  reso- 
lution No.  58,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  un- 
veiling of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  with  illustrations,  having  had 
the  same  under  consideration,  report  the  resolution  back  with  the  recom- 
mendation that  it  do  pass. 

By  an  act  approved  February  27,  1903,  Congress  appropriated  the  sum  of 
$50,000  for  the  erection  of  a  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  under  the  direction 
of  a  commission  composed  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Library  of  the  Senate,  and  the  chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
the  Library  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty-seventh  Congress. 
The  statue  was  unveiled  in  Washington  on  December  7,  1910,  in  the  presence 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the  German  ambassador,  and  many 
other  distinguished  guests. 

Your  committee  believes  this  important  event  should  be  preserved  in 
history  with  a  suitable  memorial  volume.  The  resolution  provides  that, 
in  addition  to  5,000  copies  for  the  Senate  and  10,000  for  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, the  National  German-American  Alliance,  which  took  a  promi- 
nent part  in  the  unveiling  ceremonies,  shall  have  2,000  copies  for  such  distri- 
bution as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make.  The  resolution  also  contains 
the  customary  provision  for  100  copies  to  be  bound  in  full  morocco  for  distri- 
bution to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the  speakers  who  took 
part  in  said  celebration. 

The  Public  Printer  has  submitted  a  statement  to  the  Committee  on  Printing 
that  the  estimated  charge  for  printing  and  binding  17,100  copies,  as  required 
by  the  resolution,  will  be  $5,460.62,  based  on  40  pages  and  2  half-tone 
plates. 

FEBRUARY  21,  1911 

The  next  business  on  the  Calendar  for  Unanimous  Con- 
sent was  House  concurrent  resolution  No.  58. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring],  That  there 
shall  be  printed  and  bound  in  the  form  of  eulogies,  with  accompanying 
illustrations,  17,100  copies  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling  of  the 
statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  7,  1910,  of  which 
5,000  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  10,000  for  the  use  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  2,000  to  be  delivered  to  the  National  German- American 
Alliance  for  such  distribution  as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make,  and  the 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


remaining  100  copies  shall  be  bound  in  full  morocco  and  distributed  through 
the  Department  of  State  to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the 
speakers  who  took  part  in  said  celebration. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  there  objection? 

Mr.  Cox  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Speaker,  reserving  the  right  to 
object,  I  would  like  to  ask  if  these  reports  will  be  put 
through  the  folding  room? 

Mr.  BARTHOLDT.  Yes,  sir. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  there  objection? 

There  was  no  objection. 

The  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

SENATE 

FEBRUARY  21,  1911 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  W.  J. 
Browning,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  House  had 
passed  a  concurrent  resolution  providing  for  the  printing 
and  binding,  in  the  form  of  eulogies,  of  17,100  copies  of 
the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron 
VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  7,  1910,  etc.,  in 
which  it  requested  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate. 

***** 

The  Vice  President  laid  before  the  Senate  the  following 
concurrent  resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
which  was  read  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Printing: 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  there 
shall  be  printed  and  bound  in  the  form  of  eulogies,  with  accompanying 
illustrations,  17,100  copies  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling  of  the 
statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  7,  1910,  of  which 
5,000  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  10,000  for  the  use  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  2,000  to  be  delivered  to  the  National  German-  American 
Alliance  for  such  distribution  as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make,  and  the 
remaining  100  copies  shall  be  bound  in  full  morocco  and  distributed  through 
the  Department  of  State  to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the 
speakers  who  took  part  in  said  celebration. 

(NOTE.  —  H.  Con.  Res.  No.  58  was  not  reported  back  to  the  Senate  by  the 
Committee  on  Printing  in  the  Sixty-first  Congress,  and  consequently  a 
similar  resolution  was  reintroduced  in  the  Sixty-second  Congress.) 


SIXTY-SECOND  CONGRESS,  FIRST  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Congressional  Record] 

HOUSE 

APRIL  11,  1911 

A  concurrent  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  3)  providing 
for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling 
of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  introduced  by 
Mr.  Bartholdt,  of  Missouri,  and  referred  to  the  Commit- 
tee on  Printing. 

(NoTE. — H.  Con.  Res.  No.  3  is  the  same  as  H.  Con.  Res.  No.  58  of  the 
Sixty-first  Congress.) 

APRIL  27,  1911 

Mr.  Finley,  from  the  Committee  on  Printing,  to  which 
was  referred  the  concurrent  resolution  of  the  House  (H. 
Con.  Res.  3)  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceed- 
ings upon  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN,  reported  the  same  without  amendment,  ac- 
companied by  a  report  (No.  14),  which  said  bill  and 
report  were  referred  to  the  Committee  of  the  Whole 
House  on  the  state  of  the  Union. 

The  report  (No.   14)   follows: 

[House  Report  No.  14.  Sixty-second  Congress,  first  session] 

PRINTING  PROCEEDINGS  OP  UNVEILING   STATUE  OP  BARON  VON  STEUBEN 

APRIL  27,    1911. — Committed   to  the   Committee  of  the   Whole   House  on 
the  state  of  the  Union  and  ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  Finley,  from  the  Committee  on  Printing,  submitted  the  following 
report  (to  accompany  H.  Con.  Res.  3): 

The  Committee  on  Printing,  to  which  was  referred  House  concurrent 
resolution  No.  3,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the 
unvefling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  with  illustrations,  having 
had  the  same  under  consideration,  report  the  resolution  back  with  the 
recommendation  that  it  do  pass. 

By  an  act  approved  February  27,  1903,  Congress  appropriated  the  sum 
of  $50,000  for  the  erection  of  a  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN,  under  the  di- 
rection of  a  commission  composed  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  Senate,  and  the  chairman  of  the 
84647'— 14 13  193 


Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 


Committee  on  the  Library  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Fifty- 
seventh  Congress.  The  statue  was  unveiled  in  Washington  on  Decem- 
ber 7,  1910,  in  the  presence  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  the 
German  ambassador,  and  many  other  distinguished  guests. 

Your  committee  believes  this  important  event  should  be  preserved  in 
history  with  a  suitable  memorial  volume.  The  resolution  provides  that, 
in  addition  to  5,000  copies  for  the  Senate  and  10,000  for  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, the  National  German-  American  Alliance,  which  took  a  prom- 
inent part  in  the  unveiling  ceremonies,  shall  have  2,000  copies  for  such 
distribution  as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make.  The  resolution  also  con- 
tains the  customary  provision  for  100  copies  to  be  bound  in  full  morocco 
for  distribution  to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the  speak- 
ers who  took  part  in  said  celebration. 

The  Public  Printer  has  submitted  a  statement  to  the  Committee  on 
Printing  that  the  estimated  charge  for  printing  and  binding  17,100  copies, 
as  required  by  the  resolution,  will  be  $5,460.62,  based  on  40  pages  and  2 
half-tone  plates. 

AUGUST  7,  1911 

The  first  business  on  the  Calendar  for  Unanimous  Con- 
sent was  House  concurrent  resolution  3,  which  the  Clerk 
reported  by  title. 

Mr.  MANN.  Mr.  Speaker,  can  we  not  have  the  resolu- 
tion repotted? 

The  SPEAKER.  The  Clerk  will  report  the  resolution. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

House  concurrent  resolution  3 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  there 
shall  be  printed  and  bound  in  the  form  of  eulogies,  with  accompanying 
illustrations,  17,100  copies  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling  of  the 
statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  7,  1910,  of  which 
5,000  shall  be  for  the  use  of  the  Senate,  10,000  for  the  use  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  2,000  to  be  delivered  to  the  National  German-American 
Alliance  for  such  distribution  as  said  alliance  may  desire  to  make,  and  the 
remaining  100  copies  shall  be  bound  in  full  morocco  and  distributed  through 
the  Department  of  State  to  the  descendants  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  and  the 
speakers  who  took  part  in  said  celebration. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  there  objection  to  the  present  con- 
sideration of  the  resolution  reported  by  the  Clerk?  [After 
a  pause.]  The  Chair  hears  none. 

***** 

The  SPEAKER.  The  question  is  on  agreeing  to  the  reso- 
lution. 

The  question  was  taken,  and  the  resolution  was  agreed  to. 


Proceedings  in  Congress  195 

SENATE 

AUGUST  8,  1911 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by  J.  C. 
South,  its  Chief  Clerk,  announced  that  the  House  had 
agreed  to  a  concurrent  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  3)  pro- 
viding for  the  printing  of  17,100  copies  of  the  proceed- 
ings upon  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  December  7,  1910,  in 
which  it  requested  the  concurrence  of  the  Senate. 

***** 

The  Vice  President  laid  before  the  Senate  the  concur- 
rent resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  (H.  Con. 
Res.  3),  which  was  read  and  referred  to  the  Committee 
on  Printing. 

AUGUST  21,  191t 

Mr.  Smoot,  from  the  Committee  on  Printing,  to  which 
was  referred  concurrent  resolution  No.  3  of  the  House  of 
Representatives,  reported  it  without  amendment,  and  it 
was  considered  by  unanimous  consent  and  agreed  to. 


SIXTY-SECOND  CONGRESS,  SECOND  SESSION 

[Extracts  from  the  Congressional  Record] 

HOUSE 

DECEMBER  7,  1911 

The  President  of  the  United  States,  in  his  annual  mes- 
sage to  Congress  on  foreign  relations  (H.  Doc.  No.  248), 
stated  under  the  heading  "Presentation  to  Germany  of 
Replica  of  VON  STEUBEN  Statue"  (pp.  18  and  19): 

In  pursuance  of  the  act  of  Congress,  approved  June  23,  1910,  the  Secre- 
tary of  State  and  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  Library  entered  into  a  con- 
tract with  the  sculptor,  Albert  Jaegers,  for  the  execution  of  a  bronze 
replica  of  the  statue  of  Gen.  VON  STEUBEN  erected  in  Washington,  for  pres- 
entation to  His  Majesty  the  German  Emperor  and  the  German  nation  in 
recognition  of  the  gift  of  the  statue  of  Frederick  the  Great  made  by  the 
Emperor  to  the  people  of  the  United  States. 

The  presentation  was  made  on  September  2  last  by  representatives  whom 
I  commissioned  as  the  special  mission  of  this  Government  for  the  purpose. 

The  German  Emperor  has  conveyed  to  me  by  telegraph,  on  his  own  be- 
half and  that  of  the  German  people,  an  expression  of  appreciative  thanks 
for  this  action  of  Congress. 

FEBRUARY  21,  1912 

A  concurrent  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  39)  to  amend 
concurrent  resolution  passed  August  21,  1911,  providing 
for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling 
of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  introduced  by  Mr. 
Bartholdt,  of  Missouri,  and  referred  to  the  Committee 
on  Printing. 

The  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  39)  follows: 

[H.  Con.  Res.  39,  Sixty-second  Congress,  second  session] 

IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  FEBRUARY  21,  1913 

Mr.  Bartholdt  submitted  the  following  concurrent  resolution,  which  was 
referred  to  the  Committee  on  Printing  and  ordered  to  be  printed: 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  the 

concurrent  resolution  passed   August  twenty-first,  nineteen  hundred  and 

eleven,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling 

of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  seventh, 

196 


Proceedings  in  Congress  197 

nineteen  hundred  and  ten,  be  amended  by  adding  the  following  sentence 
after  the  last  word  thereof: 

"There  shall  be  included  in  the  same  volume,  as  herein  provided  for, 
the  proceedings  relating  to  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN  in  Berlin,  September  second,  nineteen  hundred  and  eleven;  and 
this  document  shall  be  compiled  and  printed  under  the  direction  of  the 
Joint  Committee  on  Printing. ' ' 

MARCH  26,  1912 

Mr.  FINLEY.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  send  the  following  privileged 
resolution  to  the  Clerk's  desk. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  Clerk  will  report  the  resolution. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

House  concurrent  resolution  39 

Resolved  by  the  House  of  Representatives  (the  Senate  concurring),  That  the 
concurrent  resolution  passed  August  twenty-first,  nineteen  hundred  and 
eleven,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  unveiling  of 
the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in  Washington,  December  seventh,  nine- 
teen hundred  and  ten,  be  amended  by  adding  the  following  sentence  after 
the  last  word  thereof: 

"There  shall  be  included  in  the  same  volume,  as  herein  provided  for, 
the  proceedings  relating  to  the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON 
STEUBEN  in  Berlin,  September  second,  nineteen  hundred  and  eleven;  and 
this  document  shall  be  compiled  and  printed  under  the  direction  of  the 
Joint  Committee  on  Printing. " 

Mr.  FINLEY.  This  is  by  way  of  an  amendment  to  a 
resolution  which  passed  some  time  ago. 

Mr.  MANN.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  ask  unanimous  consent  that 
the  gentleman  from  Missouri  [Mr.  Bartholdt]  have  leave  to 
extend  his  remarks  in  the  Record  on  this  subject. 

Mr.  FINLEY.  I  did  not  see  the  gentleman  from  Missouri 
or  I  would  have  yielded  the  floor  to  him. 

The  SPEAKER.  The  gentleman  from  Illinois  asks  unani- 
mous consent  that  the  gentleman  from  Missouri  [Mr. 
Bartholdt]  be  permitted  to  extend  his  remarks  in  the 
Record  on  this  resolution.  Is  there  objection?  [After  a 
pause.]  The  Chair  hears  none,  and  it  is  so  ordered. 

The  question  was  taken,  and  the  concurrent  resolution 
was  agreed  to. 

The  report  (No.  448)  on  H.  Con.  Res.  39  follows: 


198  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

[House  Report  No.  448,  Sixty-second  Congress,  second  session] 

PUBLICATION  OP  PROCEEDINGS  OF  UNVEIUNG  OP  STATUE  OP  BARON  VON 
STBUBEN 

MARCH  26,  1912. — Ordered  to  be  printed 

Mr.  Finley,  from  the  Committee  on  Printing,  submitted  the  following 
report  (to  accompany  H.  Con.  Res.  39): 

The  Committee  on  Printing,  having  had  under  consideration  the  House 
concurrent  resolution  (H.  Con.  Res.  39)  to  amend  the  concurrent  resolution 
passed  August  21,  1911,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon 
the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  reports  the  same  back 
to  the  House  with  the  recommendation  that  the  resolution  be  agreed  to. 

SENATE 

MARCH  27,  1912 

A  message  from  the  House  of  Representatives,  by 
D.  K.  Hempstead,  its  enrolling  clerk,  announced  that  the 
House  had  passed  a  concurrent  resolution  (No.  39) 
amending  the  concurrent  resolution  passed  August  21, 
1911,  providing  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  upon 
the  unveiling  of  the  statue  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  in 
Washington,  December  7,  1910,  etc.,  in  which  it  requested 
the  concurrence  of  the  Senate. 

MARCH  28,  1912 

The  Vice  President  laid  before  the  Senate  concurrent 
resolution  No.  39  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  which 
was  read  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Printing. 

APRIL  2,  1912 

Mr.  Smoot,  from  the  Committee  on  Printing,  to  which 
was  referred  House  concurrent  resolution  No.  39,  reported 
it  without  amendment,  and  it  was  considered  by  unani- 
mous consent  and  agreed  to. 

HOUSE 

AUGUST  5,  1912 

Under  leave  to  print,  Mr.  Mann,  of  Illinois,  inserted 
in  the  Record  an  account  of  the  presentation  of  a  replica 
of  the  STEUBEN  Monument  to  Emperor  William  and  of 
the  unveiling  ceremonies  at  Berlin  on  September  2,  1911. 
(See  pp.  69-8 1  for  this  account.) 


MEMORIALS 
OF    STEUBEN 


BURIAL  PLACE 
PORTRAITS 
AND  RELICS 


STEUBEN'S  BURIAL  PLACE 

In  a  lonely  grave,  long  neglected  and  almost  forgotten 
amid  the  wild  woods  of  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  lie  the  re- 
mains of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN,  aid-de-camp  to  Frederick 
the  Great  and  Inspector  General  under  Washington.  It  is 
located  in  the  town  of  Steuben  near  Remsen,  N.  Y.  No 
such  pomp  and  ceremony  as  were  displayed  at  the  unveil- 
ing of  the  monuments  erected  to  his  memory  in  the  Capital 
of  his  adopted  country  and  in  the  capital  of  his  native 
land  marked  the  burial  of  this  hero  of  two  continents. 
Quietly  and  modestly  as  he  had  lived  after  the  close  of 
the  Revolutionary  War,  so  was  he  laid  to  rest  in  the  forest 
that  surrounded  his  log-cabin  home  on  the  estate  presented 
to  him  by  the  State  of  New  York,  where  his  last  days  were 
spent  with  a  few  friends  and  comrades  in  arms. 

STEUBEN  had  made  detailed  provision  as  to  the  distribu- 
tion of  his  property  and  war  trophies  and  the  manner  of 
his  burial  in  his  last  will  and  testament,1  which  reads  as 
follows: 

I,  FREDERICK  WIUJAM  BARON  DE  STEUBEN  of  the  City  and  State  of  New 
York  do  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament 

Sufficient  reasons  having  determined  me  to  exclude  my  relations  in  Europe 
from  any  participation  in  my  estate  in  America  and  to  adopt  my  Friends 
and  former  Aid  De  Camps  Benjamin  Walker  and  William  North  as  my 
children  and  make  them  sole  devisees  of  all  my  estates  therein,  except  as 
hereinafterwards  is  otherwise  disposed  of  in  consequence  thereof. 

I  bequeath  to  the  said  Benjamin  Walker  the  sum  of  Three  Thousand  dollars, 
and  the  Gold  hilted  sword  given  to  me  by  Congress 

To  the  said  William  North  I  bequeath  my  silver  hilted  sword  and  the  gold 
box  given  me  by  the  City  of  New  York 

To  John  I.  Mulligan  I  bequeath  the  whole  of  my  Library,  Maps  and  Charts, 
and  the  sum  of  Two  Thousand  five  hundred  Dollars  to  complete  it, 

And  to  each  of  my  Servants  living  with  me  at  the  time  of  my  decease  one 
year's  wages  and  besides  this  to  my  valet  de  chambre  all  my  wearing  apparel 
but  I  do  hereby  declare  that  those  legacies  to  my  Servants  are  on  the  following 
conditions;  that  on  my  decease  they  do  not  permit  any  person  to  touch  my 
Body,  nor  even  to  change  the  shirt,  in  which  I  shall  die,  but  that  they  wrap 
me  up  in  my  old  Military  Cloak  and  in  twenty-four  hours  after  my  Decease 

»  The  original  of  STBUBBN'S  will  is  among  the  "Steuben  Papers"  in  the  New  York  Historical 
Society.  170  Central  Park  West,  New  York  City. 


202  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

bury  me  in  such  spot  as  I  shall  before  my  Decease  point  out  to  them,  and  that 
they  never  acquaint  any  person  with  the  place  where  I  shall  be  buried 

And  lastly  I  do  give,  devise  and  bequeath  all  the  rest  and  residue  of  my 
Estate  real  and  Personal  after  the  Payment  of  my  Debts  and  the  legacies 
aforesaid  to  the  said  Benjamin  Walker  and  William  North,  to  hold  to  them 
their  Heirs,  Executors  and  Administrators  share  and  share  alike  hereby 
appointing  the  said  Benjamin  Walker  &  William  North  Executors  of  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testament  and  revoking  all  former  Wills  by  me  heretofore  made. 

New  York  February  12  1794. 

STEUBEN.    [L.  s.] 

Signed,  sealed,  published  and  declared  as  the  last  Will  and  Testament, 
of  the  above  Testator  in  the  presence  of  &  attested  and  subscribed  by  us  in 
his  presence. 

Charles  Williamson, 
Charles  Adams 
W.  H.  Robinson. 

The  burial  of  this  gallant  old  general  is  thus  described 
in  "The  Life  of  Frederick  William  von  Steuben,"  by 
Friedrich  Kapp  (pp.  600-601) : 

STEUBEN  himself  had  often  expressed,  in  the  circle  of  his  friends,  that 
he  wished  no  parade  over  his  remains,  and  would  designate  the  retired  spot 
where,  wrapped  in  his  military  cloak,  he  wished  to  be  buried.  The  only 
remark,  however,  that  could  be  recollected,  that  had  any  bearing  on  the 
subject,  was  that  he  was  once  heard  to  say  that  under  a  certain  hemlock, 
north  of  the  residence,  would  be  a  good  place  to  be  buried,  without,  how- 
ever, expressing  any  wish  as  to  his  own  remains.  In  the  absence  of  any 
other  expressed  wish,  that  place  was  selected  by  (Col.)  North  (STEUBEN'S 
aid-de-camp)  and  (John  W.)  Mulligan  (the  baron's  secretary)  and  his  remains 
there  interred.  It  was  about  an  eighth  of  a  mile  north  of  the  house,  on  a  hill 
in  the  midst  of  a  wood. 

Agreeably  to  his  directions,  STBUBEN  was  buried  about  noon,  on  the  3oth 
of  November,  1794.  His  neighbors,  about  30  in  number,  hastened  to  the 
farm  to  pay  their  last  respects  to  their  beloved  old  townsman.  It  was  a 
simple  and  modest  cortege  which,  on  a  shivering  winter  day,  accompanied 
his  remains  to  the  grave.  No  mourning  parade  or  music  was  there;  no 
crape-covered  eagles  or  colors  were  to  be  seen;  no  cannon  fired  a  military 
salute;  no  word  was  spoken;  no  funeral  sermon  delivered.  Some  handfuls 
of  earth,  and  the  tears  of  a  few  manly  and  sincere  friends,  were  the  last 
tribute  paid  to  the  citizen  soldier,  who,  having  contributed  in  no  small 
degree  to  the  attainment  of  the  American  independence,  now  found  lasting 
repose  in  the  unbroken  stillness  of  her  primeval  forests. 

In  1802  a  visit  to  STEUBEN'S  house  and  grave  was  made  by 
Rev.  John  Taylor,  who  thus  describes  that  event  in  the  jour- 
nal of  his  missionary  tour  through  the  Mohawk  and  Black 
River  Countries  as  published  in  the  Documentary  History 
of  the  State  of  New  York  (Vol.  Ill,  pp.  1115,  1134-1135): 


BARON   STEUBEN'S  LOG   HOUSE, 
In  the  town  of  Steuben,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. 


BARON   STEUBEN'S  GRAVE  AND    MONUMENT. 
In  the  town  of  Steuben,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y, 


Steuben's  Burial  Place  203 

Monday  (Aug.)  9th  (1802)—*  *  *  Spent  a  few  moments  at  the  grave 
of  the  enterprising  STEUBEN.  He  lies  in  a  thick  Swamp,  under  a  small  Hem- 
lock, without  a  monument.  Alas!  where  is  the  sensibility  of  his  heirs— 
or  of  the  Americans? 

*  *  *  *  # 

STEUBEN.  This  patent  is  on  the  height  of  land  between  ye  Mohawk  and 
the  Black  river — some  of  the  headwaters  of  both  are  in  this  town.  Standing 
on  a  hill,  near  the  center  of  the  town,  we  have  an  extensive  prospect  on  3 
sides; — to  the  N.W.,  about  35  miles,  we  see  the  Oneida  Lake — south  we 
see  ye  settlements  of  New  Hartford  and  Clinton — Clinton  Academy  is  in 
full  view.  We  can  here  see  the  tops  of  the  Catskill  mountains— S.  E.  & 
S.  W.  the  tops.  It  is  said  that  upon  ye  tops  of  ye  trees  Ontario  is  in 


Here  I  find  the  grave  of  the  once  active  and  enterprising  STEUBEN.  He 
lies  in  a  swamp,  under  a  Hemlock,  with  a  bier  standing  over  the  grave, 
and  a  few  rough  boards  nailed  to  some  trees  to  keep  ye  cattle  off.  Alas! 
what  is  man!  that  the  great  STEUBEN  should  be  suffered  to  lie  in  such  a 
place — and  without  a  decent  monument. 

A  few  rods  from  this  swamp,  we  find  the  place  of  his  former  residence— 
of  which  I  have  taken  a  rough  drawing.  This  is  a  very  healthful  situation. 
The  house  faces  the  south — and  there  is  a  gradual  descent  for  about  80  rods, 
and  an  opening  about  50  rods  wide.  The  seat  of  this  great  man  was  not 
indeed  a  palace,  nor  what  we  should  suppose  would  afford  contentment 
to  the  mind  of  an  enterprising  nobleman:  It  consists  of  2  log  houses — one 
at  the  end  of  the  other — containing  in  the  whole  3  rooms — unsealed.  It 
is,  however,  a  decent  log  house.  The  Baron  died  in  a  fit  of  palsy. 

The  picture  of  Baron  STEUBEN'S  residence  which  accom- 
panies this  sketch  was  reproduced  from  the  Rev.  John 
Taylor's  drawing,  as  referred  to  in  his  journal.  The  plate 
was  loaned  for  this  publication  by  the  Oneida  Historical 
Society  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  which  also  generously  contributed 
the  plate  of  the  monument  over  STEUBEN'S  grave  and  that 
of  STEUBEN'S  service  sword. 

Nothing  now  exists  of  STEUBEN'S  house.  Even  his  body 
was  not  permitted  to  remain  long  in  the  grave  he  had 
chosen  for  his  earthly  resting  place.  Some  years  after  his 
burial  under  the  favorite  hemlock  tree,  a  country  road  was 
built  across  STEUBEN'S  grave  and  his  remains  had  to  be 
taken  up  and  reinterred  in  another  part  of  the  woods.  This 
second  burial  place  was  selected  by  Maj.  Benjamin  Walker, 
an  aid-de-camp  to  STEUBEN,  who  gave  one  of  the  Welsh 
Baptist  societies  in  the  vicinity  a  lease  to  50  acres  of  land, 
of  which  the  5  acres  of  the  woodland  burial  place  were  a 
part,  the  only  rent  to  be  paid  for  which  was  the  keeping  of 
the  5  acres  fenced  forever  and  uncleared,  and  that  no  cattle 


204  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

or  other  animals  should  be  permitted  therein.     The  second 
grave  was  suitably  marked  with  a  stone  and  inscription. 

Kapp,  in  his  history  of  STEUBEN,  published  in  1859,  thus 
tells  of  a  visit  to  STEUBEN'S  grave  (pp.  603-604) : 

On  the  lath  of  June,  1857,  we  made  a  pilgrimage  to  the  old  soldier's  grave. 
In  Remsen  we  visited  STEUBEN'S  last  surviving  servant,  Lemuel  Hough, 
who  very  minutely  described  the  way  to  the  place.  The  country  through 
which  we  passed  is  mountainous.  Our  road  led  over  hills,  through  valleys 
and  fine  timberlands,  fresh  with  the  verdure  of  spring.  The  scenery  was 
generally  monotonous  and  entirely  removed  from  the  bustle  and  tumult 
of  the  world.  The  last  rough  house  which  we  passed  was  a  schoolhouse. 
Stout  and  healthy  boys  came  out  to  meet  us,  evidently  surprised  at  seeing 
strange-looking  faces  in  this  wilderness.  The  pretty,  young  girl,  however, 
that  kept  the  school  knew  nothing  of  STEUBEN'S  grave.  An  old  man  finally 
directed  us.  "In  that  thick  wood,"  said  he,  "you  will  find  the  grave," 
pointing  eastward  with  his  hand.  We  fastened  our  horses,  and  climbing 
over  fences,  jumping  ditches,  and  wading  through  underbrush,  we  finally 
reached  the  spot.  There,  on  the  slope  of  a  little  hill,  at  the  foot  of  which 
a  small,  limpid  brook  runs,  the  remains  of  STEUBEN  quietly  repose.  A 
column  of  stones,  two  or  three  feet  in  height,  at  each  corner  of  the  grave, 
upon  which  formerly  rested  a  table  of  limestone,  compose  his  simple  mon- 
ument. It  is  now  becoming  more  and  more  dilapidated,  and  the  founda- 
tion having  given  way,  nothing  remains  but  the  tablet  and  a  pile  of  stones, 
which  originally  supported  it.  The  tablet  is  about  8  feet  by  4,  and 
nearly  a  foot  in  thickness,  and  if  kept  in  its  place  will  withstand  the  rav- 
ages of  centuries,  but  if  not  speedily  repaired  will  fall  to  pieces  from  the 
influence  of  the  weather.  It  bears  the  inscription: 

MAJOR  GENERAL 

FREDERICK  WILLIAM  AUGUSTUS 

BARON  DE  STEUBEN. 

It  was  a  good  and  poetical  idea  of  Walker  to  have  selected  this  quiet  spot 
for  the  resting  place  of  his  friend.  The  tall  beech  trees,  under  whose  shade 
he  loved  to  sit  in  the  evening  of  his  life,  extend  their  wide-spreading  arms 
over  the  grave  and  keep  watch  over  the  old  hero.  Fragrant  flowers,  with 
double  vigor  rising  from  the  moldering  vegetation,  form  a  lovely  wreath 
around  the  tomb.  All  dispute  and  trouble,  all  hatred  and  envy  of  daily 
life,  are  shut  out  from  this  hallowed  spot,  which  in  its  simplicity  and  seclu- 
sion presents  a  strong  contrast  with  the  stirring  and  prominent  career  of  him 
whose  ashes  it  contains. 

Kapp  thus  describes  the  STEUBEN  memorial  tablet  which 
Col.  North  placed  in  the  German  Reformed  Church  of  New 
York  City: 

Col.  William  North  caused  a  neat  mural  monument  to  be  erected  in  STEU- 
BEN'S memory  upon  the  walls  of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  then  under 
the  charge  of  John  D.  Gross,  and  situated  in  Nassau  Street,  between  John 
Street  and  Maiden  Lane,  in  New  York  City.  When  a  Baptist  society  sub- 
sequently got  possession  of  that  church,  they  courteously  allowed  the  monu- 


STEUBEN'S   COAT   OF   ARMS. 


STEUBEN    MEMORIAL  TABLET, 


Placed  In  the  German  Reformed  Church  of  New  York  City 
by  his  aid.  Col.  William  North. 


Steuben's  Burial  Place  205 

ment  to  be  taken  down  and  carried  to  the  new  church  of  the  Germans  in 
Forsyth  Street.  There  we  found  it,  on  the  right  of  the  pulpit,  well  pre- 
served and  fastened  into  the  wall.  Lossing  says  that  when  visiting  that 
church  he  saw  the  monument  in  separate  pieces,  lying  amongst  the  rub- 
bish, in  a  small  lumber  room  of  the  church,  disfigured  and  mutilated.  On 
inquiring  we  were  informed  that  the  monument  was  kept  in  this  condi- 
tion on  account  of  a  lawsuit  which  was  pending  with  regard  to  the  property 
of  the  congregation  in  their  church.  But  after  that  suit  had  been  decided 
in  favor  of  the  German  Reformed  Church,  the  first  care  of  its  minister,  Mr. 
Abraham  Berky,  was  to  put  North's  monument  in  its  proper  place,  and  it 
is  due  to  the  exertions  of  this  gentleman  that  the  city  of  New  York  can  boast 
of  this  valuable  historical  monument.1  The  slab,  of  obelisk  form,  and  the 
square  frame,  are  of  bluish,  clouded  marble.  The  lower  urn  has  upon  it  a 
representation  of  the  Order  of  Fidelity.  The  following  is  the  inscription, 
from  the  pen  of  Col.  North: 

sacred  to  the  memory  of 
FRED1  WH,Lm  AUG*  BARON  STEUBEN, 

a  German 

Knight  of  the  Order  of  Fidelity; 

Aid-de-camp  to  Frederick  the  Great,  King  of  Prussia; 

Major-General  &  Inspector  General 

in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Esteemed,  respected  and  supported  by  Washington, 

he  gave  military  Skill  &  Discipline 

to  the  Citizen-Soldiers; 

who, 

(fulfilling  the  Decrees  of  Heaven,) 

achieved  the  Independence  of  the  United  States. 

The  highly  polished  manners  of  the  Baron 

were  graced 

by  the  most  noble  feelings  of  the  heart. 

His  hand,  "open  as  day  for  melting  Charity," 

closed  only  in  the  strong  grasp  of  Death. 

This  Memorial  is  inscribed 

by  an  American 
who  had  the  honor  to  be  his  Aid-de-Camp, 

the  happiness  to  be  his  Friend. 
Ob.  I795-3 

1  The  STETJBEN  memorial  tablet  erected  by  his  aid-de-camp,  Col.  William  North,  now 
occupies  a  prominent  place  in  the  German  Evangelical  Reformed  Church  at  355  East  Sixty-eighth 
Street,  New  York  City.  It  was  installed  first,  as  Kapp  relates,  in  the  original  church  building  of 
that  denomination  in  Nassau  Street  on  October  2,  i8iz.  After  twelve  years,  the  tablet  was  moved 
to  the  Forsyth  Street  church,  where  it  remained  for  thirty-seven  years.  Then  it  was  removed  to 
Norfolk  Street  when  a  new  church  was  erected  in  that  location,  and  remained  on  the  walls  of  the 
Norfolk  Street  church  for  thirty-six  years.  The  next  move  was  to  its  present  location  in  the 
East  Sixty-eighth  Street  church,  where  the  tablet  has  been  for  the  last  sixteen  years.  A  photo- 
graph of  the  tablet  was  made  especially  for  this  document  by  the  courtesy  of  Rev.  Julius  Jaeger, 
pastor  of  the  German  Evangelical  Reformed  Church,  which  treasures  this  memorial  of  the  great 
German  drillmaster.  STEUBBN  was  a  member  of  the  consistory  of  the  German  Reformed  Church 
when  it  was  located  in  Nassau  Street  and  chairman  of  its  board  of  trustees  on  June  20,  1785, 
according  to  the  church  records.  Several  years  ago  the  church  celebrated  its  one  hundred  and 
fiftieth  anniversary  and  issued  a  pamphlet  giving  its  complete  history. 

1  The  date  of  STEUBEN'S  death  as  inscribed  on  the  memorial  tablet  is  in  error.    STEUBEN 
died  November  28,  1794- 


206  Statue  of  Baron  i)on  Steuben 

In  December,  1856,  the  St.  Charles  Democrat,  of  Missouri,  a  German 
country  paper,  published  an  appeal  from  Mr.  Theodore  Bruere  to  the  Ger- 
mans of  the  United  States  for  the  erection  of  a  monument  in  honor  of  STEUBEN. 
This  appeal  went  the  round  of  the  Americo-German  press  and  caused  a  gen- 
eral manifestation  of  the  appreciation  in  which  the  Germans  in  the  United 
States  hold  STEUBEN 's  memory.  In  consequence  of  that  address  committees 
were  appointed  at  several  places  to  raise  funds  for  a  monument.  Concerts 
and  theatrical  representations  were  given  for  the  same  purpose,  and  the 
German  "Turner"  and  militia  companies  especially  seemed  to  take  a  great 
interest  in  the  realization  of  the  plan.  But  whether  it  was  that  the  wealthier 
Germans  did  not  participate  in  the  enthusiasm  of  their  fellow  countrymen 
or  that  the  management  was  not  confined  to  proper  hands,  the  whole  matter 
was  gradually  dropped,  and  although  there  are  some  five  or  six  thousand 
dollars  collected  there  is  no  present  appearance  that  the  project  will  ever  be 
carried  out. 

The  project  of  erecting  a  suitable  monument  to  mark 
the  grave  of  STEUBEN  was  more  successful,  however,  than 
appeared  to  Kapp  when  he  was  writing  his  "Life  of  Steu- 
ben" in  1858. 

In  an  address  on  Baron  STEUBEN  before  the  Oneida 
Historical  Society,  April  n,  1910,  Rev.  Dana  W.  Bigelow, 
D.  D.,  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  says  of  the  movement  to  erect  a 
monument  over  the  grave  of  STEUBEN: 

In  1856  German  newspapers  and  societies  called  for  funds  for  a  monu- 
ment, and  some  thousands  of  dollars  were  secured.  Not  until  1870,  however, 
was  the  plan  carried  out.  Ex-Gov.  Horatio  Seymour  gave  encouragement 
and  inspiration  to  the  movement  and  the  German  Society  of  New  York, 
Steuben  Schuetzen,  responded  with  enthusiasm.  By  their  own  generous 
offerings  the  fund  of  1856  was  supplemented  and  to  this  was  added  an  ap- 
propriation by  the  State. 

The  corner  stone  of  the  monument  was  laid  June  i,  1870,  in  the  presence 
of  thousands  of  people.  Ex-Gov.  Seymour  presided,  and  after  an  eloquent 
address  laid  the  stone  with  these  words: 

"  In  behalf  of  our  German  fellow  citizens,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  in  behalf  of  the  whole  American  people,  who  desire  that 
the  memory  of  this  great  man  shall  never  pass  away,  since  his  Revolutionary 
acts  were  instrumental  in  laying  the  corner  stone  of  our  liberties,  I  now  de- 
posit the  corner  stone  of  this  monument,  erected  in  honor  of  the  memory 
of  Baron  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  STEUBEN.  May  God  grant  that  it  will  ever 
serve  to  remind  the  American  people  of  the  great  service  which  he  per- 
formed in  their  cause,  which  he  adopted  as  his  own.  May  God  grant  that 
it  may  always  be  treasured  as  sacredly  as  we  treasure  his  memory  to-day." 

An  address  was  given  by  Mr.  Sixtus  Karl  Kapff  in  behalf  of  the  New 
York  German  Society,  who  were  present  in  large  numbers.  An  ode  was 
sung  by  the  Liederkranz  Society  of  New  York.  Maj.  Gen.  Franz  Sigel, 


Steuben's  Burial  Place  207 

• 

received  with  great  applause,  made  an  address  in  German.  Other  speak- 
ers also  took  part  with  appropriate  speeches.  Then  the  assemblage  dispersed 
and  the  forest  was  left  with  its  hero  asleep  amid  the  maples  and  beeches 
and  wild  flowers.  The  monument,  plain  but  massive,  was  finished  in  due 
time. 

The  entrance  to  the  burial  ground  is  now  marked  by  handsome  pillars, 
and  visitors  who  pass  these  find  a  trail  that  leads  into  the  woodland  to  the 
tomb.  At  the  entrance  one  will  pause  to  look  over  a  far-reaching  land- 
scape. The  view  takes  in  the  region  of  the  Mohawk  Valley,  now  one  of  the 
thoroughfares  of  the  great  Nation  whose  liberties  were  secured  by  men  of 
the  Revolutionary  era.  In  this  valley  is  the  home  of  citizens  who  espe- 
cially will  cherish  in  grateful  remembrance  the  name  STEUBEN. 

In  recent  years  the  Oneida  Historical  Society,  of  Utica, 
N.  Y.,  and  the  Baron  Steuben  Chapter,  Daughters  of 
the  American  Revolution,  of  Bath,  N.  Y.,  have  cooper- 
ated in  the  restoration  and  care  of  the  monument  which 
marks  the  grave  of  STEUBEN.  An  official  bronze  marker  of 
the  Daughters  of  the  American  Revolution  has  been  placed 
on  the  grave  by  the  Baron  Steuben  Chapter.  Upon 
the  completion  of  its  patriotic  work  the  Oneida  His- 
torical Society  and  the  Daughters  of  the  American 
Revolution  held  commemorative  exercises  at  the  grave 
of  the  grand  old  German  hero  they  thus  chose  to  honor. 


PORTRAITS  AND  RELICS  OF  STEUBEN 

At  the  New  York  City  celebration  of  the  centennial 
of  Washington's  inauguration  as  the  first  President  of  the 
United  States,  a  loan  exhibition  was  made  of  many  interest- 
ing portraits  and  relics  of  the  historic  personages  who  par- 
ticipated in  the  first  inaugural  ceremonies.  Baron  STEUBEN, 
by  reason  of  his  distinguished  army  service,  occupied  a 
prominent  position  on  the  balcony  of  Federal  Hall  near 
Washington  when  he  became  the  head  of  the  new  Nation. 
Accordingly,  the  centennial  committee  gave  a  conspicuous 
place  to  the  STEUBEN  portraits  and  relics  in  the  New  York 
exhibition.  Concerning  the  portraits  of  STEUBEN,  "The 
History  of  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the  Inauguration 
of  George  Washington  as  First  President  of  the  United 
States,"  edited  by  Clarence  Winthrop  Bowen,  Ph.  D.,  secre- 
tary of  the  publication  committee,  says  : 

Among  the  portraits  of  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  who  stood  by  Washington  when 
he  was  inaugurated,  (Pierre  Eugene)  du  Simitiere  made,  in  Philadelphia,  a 
drawing  from  life.1 

The  city  of  Philadelphia  owns  a  portrait  of  STEUBEN,  by  C.  W.  Peale,  which 
is  deposited  in  Independence  Hall  (old  Statehouse).  This  portrait  was  in 
Peale  's  Museum  in  Philadelphia  in  1795  and  was  sold  at  the  Peale  sale  in  1854. 

There  is  another  portrait  by  C.  W.  Peale,  deposited  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Academy  of  the  Fine  Arts,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Richard  Peters. 

John  Trumbull  also  represents  STEUBEN  in  the  historical  painting  entitled 
"Surrender  of  Corawallis,"  which  is  owned  by  Yale  University,  a  replica  of 
which  is  in  the  Capitol  at  Washington. 

Ralph  Earle  painted  a  portrait  of  Baron  DE  STEUBEN,  which  was  exhibited 
in  the  loan  exhibition  of  1889  (No.  194),  and  belongs  to  Mrs.  F.  B.  Austin,  of 
New  York,  who  inherited  the  same  from  her  great-grandfather,  Maj.  William 
North,  STEUBEN  's  aid-de-camp.  This  portrait  was  given  by  the  baron  to 
Maj.  North.  In  addition  to  the  badge  of  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  Baron 
DE  STEUBEN  is  represented  in  the  Earle  portrait  as  wearing  a  decoration  3 
received  in  the  service  of  Frederick  the  Great. 

1  An  engraving  made  in  1783  by  B.  Reading  after  the  du  Simitiere  life  drawing  and  owned  by 
en.  James  Grant  Wilson,  of  New  York,  was  exhibited  at  the  centennial  celebration  in  New  York. 
*  "  Order  of  Fidelity,"  bestowed  by  the  Margrave  of  Baden. 

84647s—  14  -  14  209 


Gen 


2io  Statue  of  Baron  vonSteuben 

A  copy  of  the  Earle  portrait  of  STEUBEN  is  owned  by  the  city  of  New  York 
and  is  deposited  in  the  governor's  room,  city  hall.  The  copyist  has  omitted 
certain  details  in  the  dress,  including  the  watch  chain,  and  also  the  scenery 
in  the  background,  for  which  Earle 's  portraits  are  noted.  The  Earle  portrait 
was  engraved  for  Irving 's  Life  of  Washington. 

It  is  also  stated  that  the  artist  R.  E.  Pine  had  a  portrait  of  Baron  DE  STEUBEN 
among  his  Distinguished  Heads  (Book  of  the  Artists,  by  Henry  T.  Tuck- 
erman). 

Another  portrait  of  Baron  DE  STEUBEN  is  reproduced  in  the  book  entitled 
"  The  Society  of  the  Cincinnati  in  New  York, "  by  John  Schuyler,  secretary  of 
the  New  York  State  Society. 

Another  painting  of  STEUBEN  by  Ralph  Earle  is  owned 
by  Hon.  George  W.  Feathers tonebaugh,  of  Schenectady, 
N.  Y.  It  was  painted  for  the  Hon.  James  Duane,  of  New 
York,  while  STEUBEN  was  living  in  that  city  in  1 786.  Mr. 
Duane,  as  mayor  of  the  city  of  New  York,  had  presented 
Baron  STEUBEN  with  the  freedom  of  that  municipality.  Mr. 
Featherstonebaugh  inherited  the  painting  as  the  great- 
grandson  of  Mr.  Duane.  This  portrait  is  similar  to  that  in 
the  possession  of  Mrs.  Austin.  A  copy  of  the  Featherstone- 
baugh painting  may  be  seen  in  the  History  of  the  North 
Carolina  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  by  Brig.  Gen.  Charles 
Lukens  Davis,  United  States  Army,  retired.  It  shows 
STEUBEN  wearing  the  Order  of  the  Cincinnati  on  his  left  lapel 
and  the  Order  of  Fidelity  on  the  left  breast  of  his  coat  and 
also  suspended  by  a  ribbon  around  his  neck  as  in  the  Austin 
painting.  The  cross  of  the  order  "  De  la  Fidelite"  "  was  be- 
stowed on  STEUBEN  by  the  Margrave  of  Baden  at  Carlsruhe 
on  May  28,  1769. 

OWNED  BY  MRS.  FRANCIS  B.  AUSTIN,  SUMMIT,  N.  J. 

The  photogravure  of  Baron  STEUBEN,  facing  page  208, 
was  made  from  an  original  life-sized  painting  (three-fourths 
length)  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Francis  B.  Austin,  now  of 
Summit,  N.  J.,  who  kindly  furnished  the  photographs  of  her 
STEUBEN  relics  for  this  document.  The  painting  and  relics 
have  been  treasured  by  the  North  family  and  its  descendants 
ever  since  they  were  given  by  Baron  STEUBEN  to  his  favorite 


Gold  snuffbox  presented  by  the  city  of  New  York. 


Knee  buckle  set  with  brilliants.  Gold  watch  and  chain. 

STEUBEN   RELICS  IN  THE  POSSESSION  OF  MRS.  FRANCIS  B.  AUSTIN,  OF  SUMMIT,  N.J. 


Gold-headed  cane. 
(Mrs.  Francis  B.  Austin  ) 


Service  sword  and  scabbard. 
(Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y.) 


STEUBEN'S  SWORDS  AND  CANE. 


Dress  sword. 
(Mrs.  Francis  B.  Austin.) 


Portraits  and  Relics  of  Steuben 


211 


aid-de-camp,  Col.  William  North,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Mrs.  Austin,  to  whom  they  came  in  the  following  line: 

Col.  William  North  to  his  son,  William  Augustus  Steuben  North,  to  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  (North)  Weston,  to  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  (Weston) 

In  addition  to  the  painting,  Mrs.  Austin  also  has  the 
following  STEUBEN  relics,  which  are  shown  on  the  plates 
facing  pages  210  and  211 : 

Dress  sword  bequeathed  by  Baron  STEUBEN  to  his  aid-de- 
camp, Col.  William  North.  (See  copy  of  will,  p.  201 .) 

Gold-headed  cane  carried  by  STEUBEN  and  presented 
to  Col.  North. 

Pah-  of  knee  buckles  set  with  handsome  brilliants,  worn 
by  Baron  STEUBEN  on  state  occasions. 

Gold  watch  and  chain  carried  by  STEUBEN  for  many  years. 
Presented  to  Miss  North,  aunt  of  Mrs.  Austin,  by  the  Ger- 
mans of  New  York  during  a  celebration  of  the  German  and 
French  societies  about  1876. 

Gold  snuffbox  presented  to  Baron  STEUBEN  "with  the 
freedom  of  the  city  of  New  York"  on  October  n,  1784,*  and 

1  The  following  document  accompanying  the  gold  snuff  box  presented  the  freedom  of  the  City 
of  New  York  to  Baron  STBUBEN: 
CITY  OF  NBW  YORK,  M.  • 

By  James  Duane,  Esquire  Mayor  and  the  Recorder  Aldermen  and  Assistants  of  the  City  of 
New  York  in  Common  Council  convened  To  all  people  to  •whom  these  presents  shall  come  or 
concern  Greeting 

Whereas  the  honorable  Frederick  William  Baron  de  Stuben,  Major  General  and  Inspector 
General  of  the  Armies  of  the  United  States  of  America,  among  other  Individuals  who  have  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  our  happy  Revolution,  hath  rendered  important  Services,  and  this 
country  is  more  especially  indebted  to  his  well  directed  Efforts  for  the  Introduction  of  that  System 
into  our  Military  Establishment  on  which  the  Reputation  and  Success  of  our  Arms  so  much 
depended;  the  Battle  of  Monmouth  soon  after  the  Commencement  of  his  Labours  and  every 
subsequent  Event  of  the  late  War  being  memorable  Proofs  of  the  Utility  of  that  System  in  the 
Field;  and  the  Records  of  Congress  bearing  Testimony  in  how  great  a  Degree  it  contributed  to 
promote  the  Interests  of  National  Economy  Now  therefore  Know  Ye  that  We  being  mindful 
of  the  distinguished  Merit  of  the  said  Baron  de  Stuben — Have  received  and  admitted  and  by 
these  Presents  Do  receive  and  admit  the  said  Baron  de  Stuben  to  be  a  Freeman  of  the  said  city 
within  the  Limits  of  which  he  hath  chosen  his  Residence,  to  hold  exercise  and  enjoy  all  the  Privi- 
leges Advantages  and  Immunities  to  the  Freedom  of  the  said  City  incident  and  appertaining  as 
a  public  mark  of  the  Sense  We  entertain  of  his  Services  of  our  Esteem  for  him  personally  and  of 
the  Interest  We  take  in  his  Happiness — In  Testimony  whereof  We  have  caused  the  public  Seal 
of  the  said  City  to  be  hereunto  affixed  and  these  Presents  to  be  enclosed  in  a  Golden  Box.  Wit- 
ness James  Duane  Esquire  Mayor  of  the  said  City  this  eleventh  Day  of  October  in  the  Year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  Eighty  four  and  of  the  Independence  of  the  State  of  New 
York  the  ninth.  JAS  DUANE. 

By  order  of  the  Common  Council. 

ROBT  BBNSON  Clk 


212  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

bequeathed  by  him  to  Col.  North.  Inscribed  "FREDERICK 
WM.  BARON  DE  STEUBEN  to  William  North  to  William 
Augustus  Steuben  North."  (See  STEUBEN'S  will,  p.  201.) 

OWNED  BY  THE  ONEIDA  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY,  UTICA,  N.  Y. 

The  following  relics  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  are  in  the 
possession  of  the  Oneida  Historical  Society  and  exhib- 
ited in  its  home,  the  Munson-Williams  Memorial,  at 
Utica,  N.  Y.: 

STEUBEN'S  service  sword.     (See  plate  facing  p.  211.) 

Two  silver  gravy  bowls  used  by  the  baron. 

Army  trunk,  large  leather  covered. 

Hunting  knife. 

Oil  painting  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN.  Copy  of  the 
portrait  by  Ralph  Earle. 

The  service  sword  owned  by  the  Oneida  Historical  So- 
ciety was  given  by  STEUBEN  to  his  aid,  Maj.  Benjamin 
Walker,  whose  daughter  presented  it  to  Edmund  A.  Wet- 
more,  of  Utica.  Mr.  Wetmore  left  it  to  his  children,  and  the 
survivors,  Edmund  W.  Wetmore  of  New  York  City  and  Mrs. 
Mary  B.  (John  P.)  Gray  of  Utica,  presented  it  to  the  Oneida 
Historical  Society  in  1897.  (See  illustration  facing  p.  211.) 

Neither  this  sword  nor  that  in  the  possession  of  Mrs. 
Austin  answers  the  description  of  the  sword  which  Congress 
presented  to  Baron  STEUBEN  and  which  he  bequeathed  to 
Maj.  Walker.  Efforts  to  locate  the  congressional  sword  as 
described  on  page  112  have  not  been  successful. 

OWNED    BY   THE   SOCIETY    OF   THE    CINCINNATI 

The  New  York  State  Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  of  which 
STEUBEN  was  president  from  1 786  to  1 790,  possesses  many 
interesting  letters  and  documents  written  by  STEUBEN. 
This  society  still  has  the  original  silk  banner  of  blue  and 
white  with  the  American  Army  Eagle  in  the  field  designed 
by  STEUBEN  in  1786,  and  his  plan  for  the  initiation  of 
members. 


STEUBEN'S  ARMY  LIQUOR  CASE  AND  GLASSES, 
In  the  possession  of  Mr.  James  Sweeney  Thompson,  of  North  Tonawanda,  N.  Y. 


Facsimile  of  STKUBEN'S  signature  to  letter  to  Congress  re- 
signing his  commission  as  Inspector  General  of  the  Con- 
tinental Army,  March  20,  1784. 


Portraits  and  Relics  of  Steuben  213 

Secretary  General  Asa  Bird  Gardiner,  of  the  Society  of 
the  Cincinnati,  also  has  in  his  official  custody  numerous 
documents  written  by  STEUBEN  relating  to  that  organiza- 
tion, of  which  he  was  one  of  the  founders  and  the  presiding 
officer  at  its  organization  meeting,  May  13,  1783,  in  the 
Verplanck  Mansion,  STEUBEN'S  headquarters,  which  still 
stands  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Hudson  River,  near  Fishkill. 

OWNED    BY    MR.   JAMES    SWEENEY  THOMPSON,   NORTH 
TONAWANDA,   N.   Y. 

A  liquor  case,  which  was  part  of  STEUBEN'S  camp  equip- 
ment during  the  Revolutionary  War,  is  owned  now  by  Mr. 
James  Sweeney  Thompson,  of  North  Tonawanda,  N.  Y., 
who  kindly  furnished  the  photographs  of  the  case  and  its 
glasses  for  the  illustration  facing  page  212.  Baron  STEUBEN 
gave  the  case  at  his  death  to  his  aid,  Col.  Walker,  who  in 
turn  presented  it  to  Col.  William  Williams,  of  Utica,  N.  Y. 
In  1 839  the  case  was  given  to  Mr.  James  Sweeney,  of  Tona- 
wanda, N.  Y.,  and  now  is  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Sweeney's 
grandson. 

OWNED   BY   THE    NEW   YORK   HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

The  New  York  Historical  Society,  170  Central  Park,  West, 
New  York  City,  has  16  volumes  of  "The  Steuben  Papers," 
! 778-1 784,  consisting  of  letters  to  STEUBEN,  with  copies  of 
letters  by  STEUBEN,  also  Army  returns,  etc.  In  addition, 
the  society  has  a  miscellaneous  collection  of  "Steuben 
Papers,"  which  Kapp  used  in  writing  his  life  of  STEUBEN. 

OWNED    BY  THE   NATIONAL   MUSEUM,  WASHINGTON 

The  United  States  National  Museum  in  Washington 
has  the  following  reminders  of  STEUBEN: 

A  bronze  medal,  2  inches  in  diameter,  bearing  on  the 
obverse  a  bust  of  STEUBEN  and  the  inscription  "Major 
General  Baron  Steuben."  Below  this  is  inscribed  the 
maker's  name,  "F.  B.  Smith,  N.  Y."  The  reverse  con- 


214  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

tains  the  inscription,  "Born  Nov.  15,  1730,  at  Magdeburg 
on  the  Elbe.  Died  Nov.  28,  1794,  at  Steubenville,  N.  Y." 
The  Museum  has  no  information  as  to  the  history  of  this 
medal. 

A  small  photographic  reproduction  of  a  painting  of 
Baron  STEUBEN  by  Ralph  Earle. 

A  small  engraved  portrait  of  Baron  STEUBEN  published 
by  H.  B.  Hall  &  Sons,  New  York. 


STEUBEN'S  COAT  OF  ARMS 

The  coat  of  arms  of  the  Steuben  family  is  described  as 
follows  in  Kapp's  life  of  Steuben: 

An  impailed  shield,  azure  (blue)  and  argent  (silver),  with  a  bend  over  all 
gules  (red);  the  crest,  surmounting  a  military  casque,  is  two  elephant-trunks, 
the  one  on  the  dexter  (right-hand)  argent  and  gules,  the  sinister  (left-hand) 
gules  and  azure. 

Kneschke,  in  his  "Neues  allgemeines  Deutsches  Adels- 
Lexicon,"  volume  9,  page  33,  also  gives  a  similar  description 
of  the  coat  of  arms  borne  by  the  Prussian  branch  of  the 
Steuben  family,  of  which  the  Baron  was  a  member. 

The  illustration  facing  page  204  shows  the  Steuben  coat  of 
arms  as  here  described. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


LIBRARY   OF 
CONGRESS 


BIBLIOGRAPHY  OF  BARON  VON  STEUBEN 

By  H.  H.  B.  MEYER,  Chief  Bibliographer,  Library  of  Congress 

NOTE. — Concerning  the  manuscripts  of  Baron  VON  STEUBEN  the  follow- 
ing statement  is  made  by  Winsor  (v.  8,  p.  447-448):  "The  papers  of  Baron 
STEUBEN  (about  3,000  pieces)  are  in  the  library  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society.  Sparks  had  a  portion  of  them  copied  in  1827,  beginning  in  1778  and 
going  through  the  war,  and  these  copies  are  now  among  the  Sparks  MSS." 
Some  of  STEUBEN 's  letters  are  to  be  found  among  the  papers  of  Meshech 
Weare  in  the  possession  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.  An  impor- 
tant letter  giving  a  statement  of  the  inducements  held  out  to  his  coming  to 
America  is  among  the  papers  of  A.  S.  Osborne,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.  Such  of  the 
general 's  letters  as  have  appeared  in  print  are  listed  below  under  his  name 
(items  Nos.  69-72,  inc.).  Steuben's  military  Regulations  are  listed  under 
items  Nos.  74-80. 

i.  Adams,  Samuel.  The  writings  of  Samuel  Adams.  Coll.  and  ed.  by 
Harry  A.  Gushing.  New  York,  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  1904-1908. 
4  v.  8vo. 

Baron  Steuben:  v.  4,  p.  7,  10,  39.  E302.A3I,  v.  4 

a.  American  military  biography;  containing  the  lives  and  characters  of 
the  officers  of  the  revolution,  who  were  most  distinguished  in 
achieving  our  national  independence  .  .  .  Pub.  for  E.  S.  John- 
son. Cincinnati,  printed  at  the  Chronicle  Office,  1834.  xxxn,  615 
p.  8vo. 

"Baron  de  Steuben":  p.  606-615.  E2o6.As4 

3.  Bancroft,  George.     History  of  the   United   States  from  the  discovery 

of  the  American  continent.  Boston,  Little,  Brown  &  Co.,  1859-75. 
10  v.  8vo. 

."Winter-quarters  at  Valley  Forge,  November,  i777~April, 
1778":  v.  9,  p.  452~472- 

See  especially  pages  469-472.  £178.622,  v.  9 

4.  Baron  Frederick  William  Augustus  Henry  Ferdinand  von  Steuben. 

(In  Encyclopaedia  Britannica.     nth  ed.    New  York,  1911.    4to.    v. 
25,  p.  904-905-)  AE5.E36,  v.  25 

5.  Baron   Friedrich  Wilhelm  von  Steuben. 

(In  New  international  encyclopaedia,   New  York,  1909.    8vo.    v. 

i8,P.  56^-563.)  .  AEr5-Nis.'y-^ 

6.  Baron  Steuben's  account  of  his  transactions  in  Virginia  [to  Richard 

Peters]     Historical  magazine,  October,  1860,  v.  4:3°I-3P3- 

Ei7i.H64,  v.  4 

7  Bigelow  Rev  Dana  W.  Baron  Steuben,  an  address  before  the  Oneida 
historical  society,  April  11,  1910.  Utica,  N.  Y.,  Oneida  historical 
society,  year  book  No.  n,  1910,  p.  xv-xxv. 

217 


218  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

8.  Bittinger,    Lucy    F.    The   Germans    in    colonial  times.     Philadelphia, 

J.  B.   Lippincott  Co.,   1901.    314  p.     i2mo. 
"List  of  works  consulted":  p.  300-305. 
Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  241-274.  Ei84.G3B4 

9.  Bolton,    Charles    K.    The    private    soldier   under    Washington.     New 

York,  C.  Scribner's  Sons,  1902.     258  p.    8vo. 

Baron  Steuben:  p.  33-34,  m.  £255.869 

10.  Bosse,  Georg  von.     Das  deutsche  Element  in  den  Vereinigten  Staaten 

unter  besonderer  Beriicksichtigung  seines  politischen,  ethischen, 
sozialen  und  erzieherischen  Einflusses.  Stuttgart,  Chr.  Belsersche 
Verlagsbuchhandlung,  1908.  480  p.  8vo. 

Friedrich  Wilhelm  von  Steuben:  p.  90-91.  £184.03865 

11.  Bowen,  Francis.     Life  of  Baron  Steuben. 

(In   Sparks,   Jared,   ed.    Library  of  American  biography.     Boston, 
1838.     i6mo.    v.   9,   p.    5-88.)  £176.881,  v.  9 

12.  Buttre,  Lillian  C.     The  American  portrait   gallery.     New  York,  J.  C. 

Buttre,  1879.    2  v.    4to. 

"Frederick  William  von  Steuben":  v.  2,  p.  81-82. 

£176.699,  v.  a 

13.  Canitz, (von  Steuben)  Hauptmannin  von.     Authentische  Fami- 

lien-Nachrichten  von  dem  N.  A.  Generalmajor  Fr.  Wilh.  von 
Steuben. 

(In  Hausen,  K.  R.  Staats-Materialien.     Dessau,  1783-4.     St.  6. 

S.  635-640.) 

The  reference  to  these  reminiscences  by  the  general's  sister 
is  taken  from  Ebeling's  Nachrichten,  item  no.  19  below. 

14.  Carrington,  Henry  B.     Battles  of  the  American  revolution.     1775-1781. 

Historical  and  military  criticism.  New  York,  Chicago,  A.  S.  Barnes 
&  Co.  [1888].  712  p.  8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Fredk.  Wm.  Augustus,  de,  Baron, 
Maj.  Genl.  E24i.AiC4 

15.  Clayton,  W.  Woodford.     History  of  Steuben  County,  New  York,  with 

illustrations  and  biographical  sketches  of  some  of  its  prominent 
men  and  pioneers.  Philadelphia,  Lewis,  Peck  &  Co.,  1879.  460  p. 

Fi2?.S8C6 

16.  Cronau,  Rudolf.    Drei  Jahrhunderte  deutschen  Lebens  in  Amerika;  eine 

Geschichte  der  Deutschen  in  den  Vereinigten  Staaten.  Berlin, 
D.  Reimer  (Ernst  Vohsen),  1909.  640  p.  4to. 

"Generalmajor  Friedrich  Wilhelm  von  Steuben,  der  SchSpfer 
des  amerikanischen  Heeres":  p.  226-241.  Ei84.G3C7 

17.  Drake,  Francis  S.     Dictionary  of  American  biography,  including  men  cf 

the  time;  containing  nearly  ten  thousand  notices  of  persons  of  both 
'."  sexes,  of  native  and  foreign  birth,  who  have  been  remarkable.  .  .  . 

Boston,  J.  R.  Osgood  and  Co.,  1872.     1019  p.    4to. 

Baron  Frederick  William  Augustus  von  Steuben:  p.  865-866. 

£176.073 

18.  Durand,  John,  ed.  and  tr.     New  materials  for  the  history  of  the  American 

Revolution.    New  York,  H.  Holt  &  Co.,  1889.    311  p.     i2mo. 

Baron  Steuben:  p.  102-103,  14°>  IS7-  £203.094 


Bibliography  of  Steuben 


2IQ 


19.  Du  Smnhere,  Pierre  E.     Portraits  of  the  generals,  ministers,  magistrates 

Members  of  Congress,  and  others,  who  have  rendered  themselves 
illustrious  m  the  revolution  of  the  United  States  of  North  America 
London,  R.  Wilkinson  and  J.  Debrett,  1783.     „  port.    2p     8vo    ' 
Contains  a  portrait  engraved  by  B.  B.  E.  with  title  Mai.  Gen 
Baron  Steuben.      Pubd  May   isth,    1783.  by  R.  Wilkinson, 
No.  58,  Cornhill,  London.  E2o6  D   ' 

20.  Ebelmg,  Christoph  D.  C.    Nachrichten  von  den  Lebensumstanden  des 

Baron  von  Steuben. 

(In  Amerikanisches  Magazin.     Hamburg,  1796.     I2mo.    v.  i,  p. 

21.  Faust  Albert  B.    The  German  element  in  the  United  StatSwi*  spelial 

reference  to  its  political,  moral,  social,  and  educational  influence 
Boston  and  New  York,  Houghton  Mifflin  Co.,  1909.    2  v.    8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron.  Ei84.G3F3 

A  German  translation  by  Sophie  v.  Harbou  was  published  in 
Leipzig,  1912. 

22.  Fisher,  Sydney  G.    The  struggle  for  American  independence.    Phila- 

delphia, J.  B.  Lippincott  Co.,  1908.     2  v.    8vo. 

Baron  Steuben;  v.  2,  p.  137,  453,  464.  E2o8.F5i,  v.  2 

23.  Fiske,  John.    The  American  revolution.    Boston  and  New  York,  Hough- 

ton,  Mifflin  and  Co.,  1899.    2  v.     i2mo. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron  von.  E2o8.F56 

24.  Frost,   John.     The  American  generals.     Philadelphia,  J.   W.   Bradley, 

1848.     912  p.     8vo. 

"Major  general  Steuben":  p.  88-98.  Ei8i.F92 

25.  General  Friederich  Wilhelm  von  Steuben.     Deutsche  Pionier,  Nov.  1875, 

v-  7-  379~38°-  Ei84.G3D5,  v.  7 


-     -  -  .,    . 

26.  Greene,  George  W.    The  German  element  in  the  war  of  American  inde- 

pendence. New  York,  Kurd  &  Houghton;  Cambridge  [Mass.],  The 
Riverside  press,  1876.  211  p.  i2mo. 

"Baron  von  Steuben":  p.  13-87.  Ea69.G3G7 

27.  -  Historical  view  of  the  American  revolution.     Boston,  Ticknor  & 

Fields,  1865.    459  p.     12  mo. 

Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  233-235,  282-319.     See  especially  pages 
298-303.  E208.G79 

28.  Hamilton,  Alexander.     The  works  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  comprising 

his  correspondence,  and  his  political  and  official  writings,  exclusive 
of  the  Federalist,  civil  and  military.  .  .  .  Ed.  by  John  C.  Hamil- 
ton. New-  York,  J.  F.  Trow,  printer,  1850-51.  7  v.  8vo. 

Baron  de  Steuben:  v.  i,  p.  56,  72,  78,  83,  136,  139,  142,  263,  428, 

430,  431,  448,  475;    V.  2,  p.   154,  223.  E302.H22,  V.   1-2 

29.  -  The  works  of  Alexander  Hamilton.     Ed.  by  Henry  Cabot  Lodge. 

New  York,  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  1904.     12  v.    8vo. 
Consult  "Index  to  private  correspondence"  in  v.   10,  under 
Steuben.  E3Q2.H24 

30.  Hatch,  Louis  C.     The  administration  of  the  American  revolutionary  army. 

New  York,  Longmans,  Green  and  Co.,  1904.  229  p.  8vo.  (Harvard 
historical  studies,  v.  10.)  E255-H36 


22O  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

31.  Headley,  Joel  T.     Frederick  William  Augustus  Henry  Ferdinand  von 

Steuben. 

(In  Appleton's  cyclopaedia  of  American  biography,  v.  5.  New 
York,  1898.  8vo.  p.  668-670.)  Ei76.A66,  v.  5 

32.  Washington  and  his  generals.    New  York,  C.  Scribner,  1859. 

2  v.     i2tno. 

" Major  general  Steuben":  v.  i,  p.  293-313.  £206.1134,  v.  i 

33.  [Heinrici,  Max],  ed.     Das  Buch  der  Deutschen  in  Amerika.     Hrsg.  unter 

den  auspicien  des  Deutsch-amerikanischen  National- Bundes.  Phil- 
adelphia, Walther's  Buchdr.,  1909.  974  p.  4to. 

"Friedrich  Wilhelm  von  Steuben,  der  Organisator  und  General- 
Inspektor  der  amerikanischen  Armee":  p.  105-121. 

Ei84.G3H3 

34.  Holland,  F.  W.     Baron  von  Steuben.     Living  age,  Apr.  21,  1860,  v.  65: 

173-174.  AP2.L6s,  v.  65 

35.  Hopp,  Ernst  O.     Bundesstaat  und  Bundeskrieg  in  Nordamerika.     Mit 

einem  Abriss  der  Colonialgeschichte  als  Einleitung.  Berlin,  G.  Grote, 
1886.  776  p.  8vo.  (Oncken,  Wilhelm,  ed.  Allgemeine  Geschichte 
in  Einzeldarstellungen.  4.  Hauptabth.,  4.  Th.) 

General  von  Steuben:  p.  232-235.  020.058 

36.  Irving,   Washington.     Life  of  George  Washington.     New  York,  G.   P. 

Putnam   &   Co.,    1855-59.     5   v.     8vo. 
Baron  Steuben:  See  index,  v.  5. 

37.  Jefferson,  Thomas.    The  writings  of  Thomas  Jefferson;  being  his  auto- 

biography, correspofldence,  reports,  messages,  addresses,  and  other 
writings,  official  and  private.  .  .  Ed.  by  H.  A.  Washington.  Wash- 
ington, Taylor  &  Maury,  1853-54.  9  v.  8vo. 

Baron  Steuben:  v.  i,  p.  288-289.  Relates  to  the  Virginian 
campaign.  £302^64,  v.  i 

38.  Johnston,  Henry  P.     The  Yorktown  campaign  and  the  surrender  of  Corn- 

wallis,  1781.     New  York,  Harper  &  Bros.,  1881.     206  p.    8vo. 

Baron  Steuben:  p.  32,  53,  136.  £241. Y6J? 

39.  Jones,  Pomroy.    Annals  and   recollections  of   Oneida  County.     [N.  Y.] 

Rome,  Published  by  the  author,  1851.     893  p.     8vo.  . 

Chap,  xxi  contains  an  account  of  Steuben,  the  town  named  in 
honor  of  the  general,  and  quotes  from  Frost's  "American  gen- 
erals" the  brief  life  of  Major-general  Steuben.  Fi27.C>5j7 

40.  Kapp,  Friedrich.     Leben  des  amerikanischen  Generals  Friedrich  Wil- 

helm von  Steuben.  Mit  Steuben's  Portrait.  Berlin,  Duncker  & 
Humblot,  1858.  xxxii,  667  p.  8vo.  £207.  S8K3 

41.  Life  of  Frederick  William  von  Steuben,  major  general  in  the 

revolutionary    army.     New    York,    Mason    Brothers,    1859.     735  p. 
i2tno.  E207.S8K33 

Reviewed  in  North  American  review,  Oct.  1864,  v.  99,  p.  321-364. 

AP2.N7,  v.  99 

42.  Krauel,  R.     Prince  Henry  of  Prussia  and  the  regency  of  the  United  States, 

1786.     American  historical  review,  Oct.  1911,  v.  17:  44-51 

Ei7i.A57,  v.  17 


Bibliography  of  Steuben  221 

43.  Laurens,  John.     The  army  correspondence  of  Colonel  John  Laurens  in  the 

years  1777-8,  now  first  printed  from  original  letters  to  his  father, 
Henry  Laurens  .  .  .  with  a  memoir  by  Wm.  Gilmore  Simms.  New 
York,  1867.  250  p.  4to.  (Bradford  club  series,  no.  7.) 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron.  £275X38 

44.  Lecky,  William  E.  H.     The  American  revolution,  1763-1783;  being  the 

chapters  and  passages  relating  to  America  from  the  author's  History 
of  England  in  the  eighteenth  century  .  .  .  Arranged  and  ed.,  with 
historical  and  bibliographical  notes,  by  James  A.  Woodburn.  New 
York,  Boston,  D.  Appleton  and  Co.,  [1898].  518  p.  izmo. 

General  Steuben:  p.  311,  441,  448.  £208X45 

45.  Leister,  Mary  T.     Biographical  sketches  of  the  generals  of  the  Continental 

army  of  the  revolution.  [Cambridge,  University  press],  1889.  167 
p.  i6mo. 

."Baron  Steuben":  p.  64-67.  £206X36 

46.  Lloyd,  Hugh.     The  story  of  a  fight  from  Concord  bridge  to  a  field  at  York- 

town.    New  York,  McLoughlin  brothers,  [1907].    245  p.    8vo. 
Baron  Steuben:  p.  135,  136,  139,  208,  218,  223.  £208X79 

47.  Lodge,  Henry  Cabot.    The  story  of  the  revolution.    New  York,  C.  Scrib- 

ner's  Sons,  1903.  604  p.  8vo. 
First  published,  1898,  in  2  v. 
See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron.  E2o8.L83 

48.  Lossing,  Benson  J.     Eminent  Americans,  comprising  brief  biographies  of 

leading  statesmen,  patriots,  orators  and  others,  men  and  women,  who 
have  made  American  history.  New  York,  J.  B.  Alden,  1886.  509  p. 
i2tno. 

Also  pub.  under  titles  "Our  countrymen"  and  "Lives  of  cele- 
brated Americans." 

Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  144-45-  £176X875 

49.  The  pictorial  field-book  of  the  revolution;  or,  Illustrations,  by- 
pen  and  pencil,  of  the  history,  biography,  scenery,  relics,  and  tradi- 
tions of  the  war  for  independence.    New  York,  Harper  &  Bros., 
1851-52.     2  v.  4to. 

Baron  Steuben:  v.  2,  p.  125,  126,  34i~343.  346-347.  52<5,  543~544» 
550  £208X88,  v.  2 

50.  Meyer,  George.    The  German- American.     [Milwaukee,  Hake  &   Stira], 

1890.     41  p.     i6mo. 

Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  27-29.  Ei84.G3M6i 

51  Muhlenberg,  Henry  A.  The  life  of  Major-general  Peter  Muhlenberg  of 
the  revolutionary  army.  Philadelphia,  Carey  and  Hart,  1849-  45° 
p.  i2mo. 

Baron  Steuben:  p.  216-253. 

«    Muzzey,  Artemas  B.    Prime  movers  of  the  revolution  known  by  the 
writer-  being  reminiscences  and  memorials  of  men  of  the  revolution 
and  their  families.    Boston,  D.  Lothrop  Co.,  [1891].    424  P-    8™. 
ist  ed.  entitled  "Reminiscences  and  memorials  of  men  of 

revolution,"  pub.  1883. 
Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  15,  109,  204-208,  276,  283,  332.     £206^98 


222  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

53.  North,  William.     Baron.  Steuben.     Magazine  of  American  history,  Mar. 

1882,  v.  8:  187-199.  Ei7i.Mi8,  v.  8 

54.  Peters,  Richard.     Letter  [to  John  Montgomery  containing  a  tribute  to 

Baron  Steuben].     Magazine  of  Western  history,  Sept.  1886,  v.  4:  680. 

Ei7i.N27,  v.  4 

55.  Peterson,  Charles  J.     The  military  heroes  of  the  revolution;  with  a  nar- 

rative of  the  war  of  independence.  Philadelphia,  W.  A.  Leary, 
1848.  487  p.  8vo. 

"Baron  Steuben":  p.  359-364.  Eao8.P48 

56.  Pfister,  Albert  von.     Die  amerikanische  Revolution,  1775-1783.     Stutt- 

gart und  Berlin,  J.  G.  Cotta'sche  Buchhandlung  Nachfolger,  1904. 
2  v.  8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben.  £208. P$i 

57.  Poten,  B.     Friedrich  Wilhelm  August  Ferdinand  von  Steuben. 

(In  Allgemeine  deutsche  Biographic.     Leipzig,  1893.     8vo.     v.  36, 
p.  142-148.) 

58.  Rattermann,  H.  A.     Friedrich  Kapp.     Deutsch-amerikanisches  Magazin, 

1886,  v.  i:  16-36,  226-238,  360-373.  £184.03046,  v.  i 

59.  Rhoads,  Thomas  Y.     The  battle  fields  of  the  revolution.     Boston,  L.  P. 

Crown  &  Co.;  Philadelphia,  J.  W.  Bradley,  1856.     336  p. 

" Baron  Steuben ":  p.  329-333.  E24i.AiR4 

60.  Ridpath,  John  C.     The  new  complete  history  of  the  United  States  of 

America.  Washington,  D.  C.,  Ridpath  history  co.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
The  Jones  Bros.  Publishing  Co.  [1911].  12  v.  4to. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron  von.  Ei78.R633 

61.  Rogers,  Thomas  J.     A  new  American  biographical  dictionary;  or,  Remem- 

brancer of  the  departed  heroes,  sages,  and  statesmen  of  America.  .  . 
2d  ed.  Easton,  Pa.,  T.  J.  Rogers,  1823.  352  p.  12010. 

"Frederick  William  Steuben":  p.  427-428.  E2o6.R72 

62.  Root,   Mary  P.,    ed.     Chapter  sketches,  Connecticut  Daughters  of  the 

American    revolution;    patron    saints.     New    Haven,    Connecticut 
chapters,  Daughters  of  the  American  revolution,  [1901].      531  p. 
Baron  Steuben:  p.  232,  497.  £202^75 

63.  Rosengarten,  Joseph  G.     American  history  from  German  archives,  with 

reference  to  the  German  soldiers  in  the  revolution  and  Franklin's 
visit  to  Germany.  Lancaster,  Pa.  [Press  of  the  New  Era  printing  co.], 
1904.  104  p.  4to. 

First  pub.  in  collected  form  in  v.  13  of  the  Proceedings  and  ad- 
dresses of  the  Pennsylvania-German  society. 

Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  6,  26,  34,  41.  £267^792 

64.  The  German  soldier  in  the  wars  of  the  United  States.     Phila- 
delphia, J.  B.  Lippincott,  1886.     175  p.    i2mo. 

Baron  von  Steuben:  p.  54,  57,  115,  118,  128,  136.        Ei84.G3R8i 

65.  Ruetenik,  Herman  J.     Beriihmte  deutsche  Vorkampfer  fur  Fortschritt, 

Freiheit  und  Friede  in  Nord-Amerika.     Von  1626  bis  1888.     Cleve- 
land, Forest  City  bookbinding  co.,  1888.     500  p.     8vo. 
"Baron  Steuben":  p.  70-87. 


Bibliography  of  Steuben  223 

66.  Schmitt,   Nikolaus.     Leben  .und  Wirken  von  Friedrich  Wilhelm  von 

Steuben.  Vortrag,  gehalten  in  dem  Kunstlerverein  von  Philadel- 
phia .  .  .  Zum  Besten  des  Steuben-Denkmals.  Philadelphia, 
John  Weik  und  Co.,  1858.  42  p.  port.  i2mo. 

67.  Sparks,  Jared,  ed.    Correspondence  of   the  American  revolution;  being 

letters  of  eminent  men  to  George  Washington  from  the  time  of  his 
taking  command  of  the  army  to  the  end  of  his  presidency.  Boston, 
Little,  Brown  and  Co.,  1853.  4  v.  8vo. 

Letters  by  Baron  Steuben:  v.  2,  p.  420-422;  v.  3,  p.  126-129,  203- 
205,  290-294;  v.  4,  p.  41-43.  £203.873 

68.  Spencer,  Jesse  A.     History  of  the  United  States  of  America,  ed.  by  Edwin 

Wiley  and  Irving  E.  Rines.  New  York,  American  educational 
alliance,  [1909-10].  6  v.  8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  F.  W.  A.  H.  F.  Baron  von. 

£178.8742 

69.  Steuben,  Friedrich  W.  A.  H.  F.  von.    Copia  eines  Schreibens  von  dem 

General  Major  von  Steuben,  an  den  Geheimenrat  ...  in  Hechingen; 
im  Lager  zu  Neu  Windsor  am  Nord  Fluss,  den  4  Jul.  1779. 

(In  Schlozer's  Briefwechsel.    Gottingen,  1780.    8vo.    v.  7,  no. 

4*.  P-  327-337-) 

Relates  to  his  landing  in  Portsmouth,  his  reception  in  Boston 
and  later  his  reception  by  Washington  and  the  army. 
Outlines  his  appointments,  and  gives  glimpses  of  his  sur- 
roundings and  experiences.  Di.S7,  v.  7 

70.  Letter  of  General  Baron  Steuben  to  the  officers  of  the  New  Jersey 

line,  July  igth,  1783. 

(In  New  Jersey  historical  society.  Proceedings,  1850-1851. 
Newark,  1851.  v.  5,  p.  14-15-) 

Refers  to  his  motive  in  coming  to  America;  pays  a  tribute 
to  Col.  Barber  of  the  New  Jersey  line.  Fisi.NsS,  v.  5 

-x>  A  letter  on  the  subject  of  an  established  militia,  and  military 

arrangements,  addressed  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States, 
by  Baron  De  Steuben.  New  York,  printed  by  J.  M'Lean  &  Co., 
MDCCLXXXIV.  i6p.  4to. 

Bound  with  "  Poems  on  Several  Occasions.    By  a  Gentleman  of 
Virginia,"  and  other  pamphlets  in  a  volume  lettered  "Poems, 
etc."    There  is  also  in  the  collection  an  unbound  copy. 
Not  in  the  Library  of  Congress. 

The  reference  was  copied  from  A.  P.  C.  Griffin's  "A  catalogue  of 
the  Washington  collection  in  the  Boston  Athenaeum,"  Boston, 
1897,  p.  193. 

72  [Letter  relative  to  the  New  York  society  of  the  Cincinnati  to  Gen- 
eral van  Cortlandt,  dated  New  York,  March  16,  1789-]  Magazine  of 
American  history,  September,  1883,  v.  10:  253.  Bi7i.Mi8,  v.  10 

„    The  military  assistant:  being  a  collection  of  company  discipline, 

principally  selected  from  the  writings  of  Frederick  W.  Steuben  .  .  . 
by  Emery  Russell.  Springfield,  Mass.,  T.  Dickman,  [1812].  48  p. 


224  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

74.  Steuben,  Friedrich  W.  A.  H.  F.  von.  Regulations  for  the  order  and  dis- 
cipline of  the  troops  of  the  United  States.  Part  i.  Philadelphia, 
printed  by  Styner  &  Cist,  in  Second  street.  1779.  154  p.  8  plates. 
i6mo.  UBsoi  1779 

75. Regulations  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  of  the  United 

States.  Part  i.  Hartford:  Hudson  and  Goodwin.  1779.  138  pp., 
6  plates. 

76. For  the  use  of  the  Militia  of  Pennsylvania.  An  abstract  of  a  system 

of  military  discipline:  Framed  by  the  Hon.  the  Baron  Steuben, 
Major  General  and  Inspector  General  of  the  Armies  of  these  United 
States.  Approved  by  His  Excellency  General  Washington.  Con- 
firmed by  the  Hon.  the  Congress.  Philadelphia:  Printed  by  Francis 
Bailey,  in  Market  Street.  1779.  38  pp. 

77.  Regulations  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  of  the  United 

States.     Part  i.     Hartford:  Printed  and  sold  by  Nathaniel  Patten. 
1780.     107  pp.,  8  plates. 

78.  • —    Regulations  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  of  the  United 

States.  Part  i.  Hartford:  Printed  by  Hudson  &  Goodwin.  1782. 
89  pp.,  8  plates. 

79.  Regulations  for  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  troops  of  the  United 

States.    Part  i.    Philadelphia:  Printed  by  Charles  Cist,  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Fourth  and  Arch  streets.     1785.     151  pp. 

80.  Regeln  fur  die  Ordnung  und  Disciplin  der  Truppen  der  Vereinigten 

Staaten.  Erster  Theil.  Aus  dem  englischen  Ubersetzt.  Philadelphia, 
Gedruckt  bey   Carl  Cist,    No.   104  in  der   zweyten   strasse.     1793. 
84  p.    8  plates.    8vo. 

Compiled  by  von  Steuben. 

Editions  were  printed  in  nearly  all  the  States  in  1793  and  1704 
to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  Militia  act  of  May  8,  1792. 

UBsoi  1793 

81.  Steuben,   Wilhelm  A.   von.     Zuverlassige   Nachrichten   von   dem   Ge- 

schlecht  und  Herkommen  des  nordamerikanischen  Generals  F.  W.  L. 
G.  A.  von  Steuben. 

(In  Historischen  Portefeuille,   1785,  St.  4,  S.  447,  453.)' 

The  reference  to  this  article  by  the  general 's  father  is  taken 
from  Ebeling's  Nachrichten,  see  item  no.  20  above. 

82.  Das  Steubenfest  und  das  Steubendenkmal  in  Baltimore.1     Baltimore, 

1878. 

83.  Stone,  Edwin  M.     Our  French  allies  .  .  .  Providence,  Printed  by  the 

Providence  Press  Co.,  1884.     xxxi,  632  p.     4to. 

Baron  Steuben:  p.  138-144.  £265.887 

84.  Stone,  William  I,.,  jr.     Baron  Steuben.     American  magazine  of  history, 

March,  1882,  v.  8:  187-199.  £171. Mi8,  v.  8 

85.  Taylor,  Rev.  John.     Journal  of  missionary  tour  through  the  Mohawk  and 

Black  River  countries  in  1802.  Documentary  history  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  by  E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  M.  D.  Vol.  Ill,  p.  1115  and  1135. 
Albany,  Weed,  Parsons  &  Co.,  1850.  Fi23.D63,  v.  3. 

1  Not  in  Library  of  Congress. 


Bibliography  of  Steuben  225 

86.  Thacher,  James.     A  military  journal  during  the  American  revolutionary 

war,  from  1775  to  1783  .  .  .  Boston,  Richardson  &  Lord,  1823.     603 
p.     8vo. 

"Frederick  William  Augustus  Baron  de  Steuben":  p.  517-531. 

E375.T35 

87.  Tower,   Charlemagne.    The  Marquis  de  La  Fayette  in  the  American 

revolution.     Philadelphia,  J.  B.  Lippincott  Co.,  1895.    2  v.    8vo. 
Consult  index  under  Steuben.  E207.L2T8 

88.  Trevelyan,  Sir  George  O.    The  American  revolution.    New  ed.    New 

York,  Longmans,  Green  &  Co.,  1905.    3  v.     8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron  von.  Eao8.T83 

89.  Trumbull,  Jonathan.    The  Trumbull  papers,    pt.  1-4. 

(In    Massachusetts   historical    society.     Collections.     Boston,    1885- 
1902.    8vo.    ser.  5,  v.  9-10;  ser.  7,  v.  2-3.) 
Baron  Steuben:  See  index,  v.  10. 

F6i.M4i,  ser.  5,  v.  9-10;  ser.  7,  v.  2-3 

90.  United  German  societies  of  the  District  of  Columbia.     Souvenir  program, 

unveiling  of  the  Steuben  monument,  Washington,  D.  C.,  December 
7,  1910.     [Washington,  The  Carnahan  press,  1910.]    19  p.    8vo. 

91.  United  States.     Continental  congress.    Journals  of  the  Continental  con- 

gress, 1774-1789.     Ed.  by  Worthington  C.  Ford  [and  Gaillard  Hunt]. 
Washington,  Govt.  print,  off.,  1904-1912.     21  v.    4to. 
See  index  of  vols.  12,  18  and  21  under  Steuben. 

JIO.AS,  1904,  v.  12,  18,  21 

92. Resolved  that  Baron  Steuben  be  appointed  to  the  office 

of  inspector-general,  Tuesday,  May  5,  1778. 

(In  its  Journals  of  the  American  congress,  from  1774  to  1788. 
Washington,  1823.    8vo.    v.  2,  p.  539.) 
See  also  Journals  of  the  Continental  congress,  Washington, 
1908,  v.  n,  p.  465.  Jio.As,  1904,  v.  ii 

93.  Virginia.  Calendar  of  Virginia  state  papers  and  other  manuscripts  .  .  . 
preserved  in  the  Capitol  at  Richmond.  Richmond,  1875-93.  n  v. 
4to. 

Baron  von  Steuben:  v.  2,  p.  2,  3,  43,  46,  50,  66,  666. 

F226.V82,  V.  3 

94. governor,  1781.     (Thomas Nelson.)    Letters  of  Thomas  Nelson,  jr. 

Richmond,    Virginia  historical   society,    1874.     71    p.    4to.    (Pub- 
lications of  the  Virginia  historical  society.    New  series,    no.  i.) 
The  letters,  which  include  all  those  of  Governor  Nelson  that  could 
be  found  in  the  archives  of  the  State,  relate  chiefly  to  the 
Yorktown  campaign  of  1781,  and  are  here  published  for  the 
first  time.     Of  interest  in  connection  with  the  Virginia  cam- 
paign of  1780-1781.  F22I.V835 
95.  Von  dem  N-Amerikan-General  von  Steuben. 

(In  Stats-Anzeigen.    Gottingen,  1783.     i2tno.    v.  5,  no.  17,  p.  59-60.) 

Brief  recollections  by  former  acquaintances  in  Hamburg  and 

Silesia.  D'-88'  v-  5 

84647°-14 15 


226  Statue  of  Baron  von  Steuben 

96.  Washington,  George.     The   writings  of   George  Washington;  being   his 

correspondence,  addresses,  messages,  and  other  papers,  official  and 
private.  By  Jared  Sparks.  New  York,  Harper  &  Bros.,  1847.  I2  v- 
8vo. 

Baron  Steuben:  v..5,  p.  349-35°.  526-528.  £302^31,  v.  5 

97.  The  writings  of  George  Washington.     Collected  and  edited  by 

Worthington  C.  Ford.    New  York,  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  1889-1903. 
14  v.     8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben. 

98.  Wells,  William  V.     The  life  and  public  services  of  Samuel  Adams,  being 

a  narrative  of  his  acts  and  opinions,  and  of  his  agency  in  producing 
and  forwarding  the  American  revolution.  Boston,  Little,  Brown  & 
Co.,  1865.  3  v.  8vo. 

Baron  von  Steuben:  See  v.  3,  chap.  47.  E2O7-A2W4,  v.  3 

99.  Where  Baron  Steuben  was  buried. 

(In  New  England  historical  and  genealogical  register,  1862.     Albany, 
1862.    8vo.    v.  16,  p.  201-202.)  Fi.N56,  v.  16 

100.  Wilson,   Woodrow.     A  history  of   the    American    people.     New  York, 

Harper  &  Bros.,  1903.     5  v.     8vo. 

Baron  Steuben:  v.  2,  p.  284,  315.  £178^77,  v.  2 

101.  Winsor,  Justin.     Calendar  of  the  Sparks  manuscripts  in  Harvard  college 

library.  Cambridge,  Mass.,  issued  by  the  Library  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, 1889.  88  p.  8vo.  (Library  of  Harvard  University.  Biblio- 
graphical contributions,  no.  22.) 

Papers  of  Baron  Steuben,  no.  xv,  p.  9-10.  Z662i.H33Sp 

102.  Narrative  and  critical  history  of  America.     New  York,  Hough- 
ton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  1884-1889.    8  v.     4to. 

See  index  under  Steuben,  Baron,  in  v.  6,  7,  and  8.  Ei8.W76,v.6-8 

103.  The  reader's  handbook  on  the  American  revolution,  1761-1783. 

Boston,  Houghton,  Osgood  &  Co.,  1880.     328  p.    8vo. 

See  index  under  Steuben.  E2o6.W8 

104.  Zuverlassige    Nachrichten    von    dem    Amerikanischen    General    von 

Steuben.  Journal  von  und  fur  Deutschland,  August-September, 
1784,  v.  2:  84-88.  AP30.J7.V.2 


INDEX 

By  the  Office  of  the  Superintendent  of  Documents,  Government  Printing  Office. 


Page 
Addresses  at  unveiling  of  monument,  Washington,  D.  C. : 

Bartholdt,  Hon.  Richard  (of  Missouri) 19-28 

Bernstorff ,  Count  Johann  Heinrich  von 43~45 

Hexamer,  Dr.  Charles  J 29-41 

Taft,  William  Howard  (President  of  the  United  States) 49~5i 

Addresses  at  unveiling  of  replica,  Potsdam,  Germany: 

Bartholdt,  Hon.  Richard  (of  Missouri) 73~74 

German  Emperor 74~75 

Albany,  N.  Y. ,  Steuben  tendered  freedom  of  city 26 

Allied  German  Singers  of  New  York,  serenade  to  Envoy  Bartholdt ....         71 

American  independence,  achievement  of 20 

American  Revolution,  events  leading  to 29 

Appropriations : 

For  bronze  replica  of  Steuben  Statue 69, 174, 176, 178, 185-189 

For  Steuben  Statue 9, 156-157, 166-167, 

168, 170, 172-173, 178-183, 185, 191, 193 

Army  regulations: 

Congress  orders  observance  of 93~94 

Payment  to  Steuben  for  compiling 95~97 

Steuben  the  compiler  of 23, 112, 148 

Austin,  Mrs.  Francis  B.,  Steuben  relics  in  possession  of 210-212 

Banquets: 

American  envoys  presenting  replica  to  German  Emperor — 

Entertainment  in  Germany 75~77 

Reception  upon  return  to  United  States 78 

Columbia  Turnverein 63-64 

German-American  societies 62 

Order  of  the  Cincinnati 59"61 

United  German  Alliance  Committee 61-62 

Washington  Kriegerbund 62~63 

Bartholdt,  Hon.  Richard  (of  Missouri): 
Addresses  at  unveiling  ceremonies — 

At  Potsdam,  Germany • 73~74 

At  Washington,  D.  C I9-«8 

Bills  introduced  in  Congress  for  erection  of  Steuben  Statue  and 

replica I^  '  *  ?  x 

Entertainment  in  Germany 75~78 

Farewell  reception  on  steamer  George  Washington 7° 

Presentation  of  bronze  replica  to  German  Emperor 7°>  73~75 

Remarks  in  Congress  on  Steuben  and  bills  relating  to  statue  . . .   *5$-*56» 

174-177, 181-185 
227 


230  Index 

Page 

German  Society  of  New  York,  Steuben  one  of  the  founders  of 40 

German   volunteers,    Congressional    resolution    raising   new    corps  of 

troops  by  name  of 90 

Germany,  friendship  with  the  United  States 43-44,  70,  73,  74,  76, 175 

Gerth,  Mrs.  Ottelie,  mascot  of  Twentieth  Turner  Regiment  of  New 

York 63-64 

Hamilton,  Alexander: 

Report  on  Steuben 's  memorial 117-127 

Witnesses  Steuben 's  leadership  at  Battle  of  Monmouth 37,  50 

Hancock,  John,  entertainment  of  Steuben 141, 153, 160 

Hemenway,  Hon.  J.  A.  (of  Indiana),  brief  remarks  in  Congress  on 

life  of  Steuben 158-163 

Hexamer,  Dr.  Charles  J.,  address  at  unveiling  ceremonies  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C 29-41 

History  of  statue 9-1 1 

See  also  Congress. 

Infantry,  Light,  Steuben  the  inventor  of 38 

Inspector  General,  Department  of,  plan  of  Steuben  for 91-93, 103, 105-106 

Invocation,  at  unveiling  ceremonies  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  by  Rev. 

Charles  F.  Steck,  D.  D 17-18 

Jaegers,  Albert: 

Biographical  sketch 14 

Description  of  statue 11-12 

Presentation  to  German  Emperor 75 

Kapp,  Friedrich,  extracts  from  "The  Life  of  Frederick  William  von 

Steuben  " 202,  204-205 

Krieger  bunds: 

Banquet  given  by  Washington  Kriegerbund 62-63 

Delegations    attending    unveiling    ceremonies    in     Washington, 

D.  C 63 

L'Enfant,  Maj.  Pierre  Charles: 

Insignia  designed  for  Order  of  the  Cincinnati 60 

Letter  from  Steuben 60 

Lithuanians,  citizenship  in  United  States 158 

Location  of  statue 9, 12-14,  56 

Mann,  Hon.  James  R.  (of  Illinois),  remarks  in  Congress  on  presentation 

of  Steuben  replica  to  German  Emperor 60-78 

Members  of  statue  commission.     See  Steuben  Statue  Commission. 

Military  Academy,  West  Point,  suggested  by  Steuben 39 

Minute  Men,  entertainment  of 62^63 

Models  for  statue  submitted 9 

Monmouth,  Battle  of,  influence  of  Steuben  at 37,  50 

National  Museum,  Washington,   D.  C.,  Steuben  relics  in  possession 


of. 


213-214 


New  York  City,  Steuben  tendered  freedom  of 26 

New  York  Historical  Society,  Steuben 's  papers  in  archives  of . .  .  6, 32, 38,  213 
Newspaper  comment 53-65,  78-81        » 


Index  231 

North,  Col.  William:  Page 

Extract  from  biographical  sketch  of  Steuben X6i 

Steuben  memorial  tablet  presented  by 202-203 

Steuben  relics  bequeathed  to 210-212 

Northeastern   Singers'  Association,   participation   in   unveiling  cere- 
monies in  Washington,  D.  C 55  56 

Oneida  Historical  Society,  Utica,  N.  Y. : 

Cooperation  in  restoration  of  Steuben 's  grave 207 

Steuben  relics  in  possession  of 2 12 

Page,  Hon.  John   (of   Virginia),  remarks  in    Congress  on   Steuben's 

services  and  claims  therefor 128-130 

Parade  at  unveiling  ceremonies  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  formation  of 57-58 

Poles,  citizenship  in  United  States 157-158 

Potsdam,  Germany: 

Presentation  of  bronze  replica  to  German  Emperor 69-81 

Suitability  of  location  for  Steuben  Statue 71 

Pulaski,  Count  Casimir: 

Provisions  for  erection  of  statue 163, 166-170 

Senate  report  in  Fifty-seventh  Congress  relative  to  statue 164-165 

Replica  of  Steuben  Statue.     See  Steuben  Statue,  replica. 

Revolutionary  interest  attached  to  location  for  statue 13 

Russell,  Rev.  William    T.,    D.  D.,    benediction    at   unveiling    cere- 
monies in  Washington,  D.  C 52 

Sculptor.     See  Jaegers,  Albert. 

Secretary  of  War,  application  of  Steuben  refused  for  position  of 39 

Steck,  Rev.  Charles  F.,    D.  D.,  invocation  at  unveiling  ceremonies 

in  Washington,  D.  C 17-18 

Steuben,  Baron  Frederick  William  Augustus  Henry  Ferdinand  von: 
Acts  passed  by  Congress — 

Adjusting  claims  of 135 

Providing  for  erection  of  statue  and  replica 170, 186 

Admiration  of  Gen.  Washington  for 24 

Advice  of  Benjamin  Franklin 21, 31 

Albany  tendered  freedom  of  city  to 26 

Army  regulations — 

Compiler  of 23, 112, 148 

Congress  orders  observance  of 93~94 

Payment  for  compiling 95~97 

Arrival  in  America 21,  22, 117, 141, 152 

Battle  of  Monmouth,  influence  at 37>  5° 

Bibliography 217-226 

Bills  introduced    in    Congress   by   Hon.    Richard    Bartholdt   (of 

Missouri)  for  erection  of  statue  and  replica 136, 171 

Biographical  sketches 19-28, 31-41, 43~45> 

49-5i» i37-J49,  i5°-I55, 158-163 

Birth 3i,  138, 151 

Burial  place - 27, 41,  7°,  201-207 

Capitulation  offered  by  Cornwallis  to 24 


232  Index 

Page 

Steuben,  Baron  Frederick  William  Augustus  Henry  Ferdinand  von — 
Continued. 

Citizenship  of 40 

Claims  for  expenses  incurred,  congressional  reports  and  resolutions 

on  payment  for 99-101, 106-135 

Coat  of  arms  of  the  Steuben  family 214 

Commendation  by  Gen.  Washington 6,  26-27, 3^>  45> 

50-51, 87, 148, 154, 161-162 

Committee  of  Congress  appointed  to  confer  about  service  in  Conti- 
nental Army 86, 141-142 

Conference  relative  to  the  German  volunteers 90 

Congressional  resolution  of  commendation  relative  to  military  order 

and  discipline  of 95 

Control  over  Army  supplies 23 

Death 27, 41 

Description  of  visit  made  by  Rev.  John   Taylor  to  house   and 

grave  of 202-203 

Early  training 21, 31, 49, 138, 151 

Engineer  and  Artillery  Corps,  created  by 44 

Entertained  by  John  Hancock 141, 153, 160 

Extracts  relating  to — 

From  address  by  Rev.  D.  W.  Bigelow  on  movement  to  erect 

monument  at  grave  of 206-207 

From  Annals  and  Journals  of  Congress 117-135 

From  Congressional  Record 136-198 

From  Journals  of  Continental  Congress 85-116 

From    "The  Life  of  Frederick   William   von  Steuben,"  by 

Friedrich  Kapp 202,  204-205 

" Father  of  the  American  Army" 32, 41 

Founder  of — 

German  Society  of  New  York 40 

Order  of  the  Cincinnati 40, 60 

Genius  of 36 

Gold  box  presented  to •. 26 

Independent  command  in  Army  refused  by  Congress 24 

Inspector  General,  Department  of,  plan  for 9I~93>  I03»  105-106 

Inspector  General  of  the  Army 34, 87, 88, 89, 90,  93, 

103, 106, 148, 154-155 

Inventor  of  formation  of  light  infantry 38 

Land  granted  for  services  to 26, 40 

Letters  from 6,60,  85, 108, 109, 112, 

121, 122-124, 141, 152-153, 159-160 

Master  mind  of 20 

Memorial  tablet  given  by  Col.  William  North 204-205 

Memorials 201-2 14 

Military  academy  suggested 39 

Military  discipline  and  knowledge 20-21, 23, 31-32, 

35-38, 44~45i  49-5°.  87»  95. 129-130, 
138, 146-147,  151, 154,  159,  160-161 


233 


Steuben,  Baron  Frederick  William  Augustus  Henry  Ferdinand  von— 
Continued. 
Motives  for  aiding  colonists  ...................   30,  49,  86,  12  1,  122,  152-153 

New  York  tendered  freedom  of  city  to  ...........................        26 

Offers  services  to  Congress  ...............  22,  85,  121,  141,  152-153,  159-160 

Papers  preserved  in  archives  of  New  York  Historical  Society  .....         6, 

32,38,213 
Pennsylvania  conferred  honorary  citizenship  on  ..................        26 

Pension  for  ...............................  26,  116,  126-127,  128,  131-135 

Portraits  and  relics  ...........................................  200-214 

Pupil  of  Frederick  the  Great  ....................................  22,  151 

Raising  troops  in  Virginia  ......................................  23-24 

Reception  by  Gen.  Washington  ..................................        22 

Regent  of  University  of  New  York  ..............................        40 

Remarks  in  Congress,  on  life,  services,  and  statue,  by  — 

Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt  (of  Missouri)  .....  155-156,  174-177,  181-185 

Hon.  Charles  W.  Fairbanks  (of  Indiana)  ..................  165-166 

Hon.  J.  A.  Hemenway  (of  Indiana)  .......................  158-163 

Hon.  James  R.  Mann  (of  Illinois)  ...........................  69-78 

Hon.  John  Page  (of  Virginia)  .............................  128-130 

Hon.  William  Sulzer  (of  New  York)  .......................  149-155 

Report  from  Alexander  Hamilton  on  memorial  of  ...............  117-127 

Requested  to  aid  Gen.  Sullivan  in  Rhode  Island  .................        89 

Resignation  from  Army  ...........................  \  39,  108-113,  149,  162 

Secretary  of  War,  application  refused  for  position  of  ..............        39 

Southern  Department,  directed  to  repair  to  .......................       104 

Spelling  of  name  ...............................................        85 

Swords  presented  to  .................................  26,39,112,  125,  149 

Thanks  of  Congress  extended  to  ..........  39,86,  111-112,124-125,149,162 

Will  of  .........................................................  201-202 

Yorktown,  participation  at  ...................................  ....        38 

Steuben  Statue  i 

Act  of  Congress  providing  for  erection  at  Washington,  D.  C  .......       170 

Appropriations  for  ...............................  9,156-157,  166-167,  168, 

170,  172-173,  178-183,  185,  191,  193 
Bills  and  reports  in  Congress  relative  to  erection  of  ...............      136, 

I37~I49,  163-170 
History  .......................................................    9-" 

Location  ....................................................  9,12-14,56 

Models  submitted  ...............................................          9 

Resolutions  and  reports  in  Congress  providing  for  printing  of  pro- 
ceedings at  unveiling  of  .....................................   190-198 

Steuben  Statue  Commission,  members  of  ............................          8 

Steuben  Statue,  replica: 

Act  providing  for  erection  of  .....................................       J86 

Appropriations  for  ............................  69,  174,  176,  178,  185-189 

Bill  introduced  in  Congress,  with   remarks,   by   Hon.    Richard 
Bartholdt  (of  Missouri)  for  erection  of  ...................  171,  i74->7* 


234  Index 

Page 
Steuben  Statue,  replica — Continued. 

Extract  from  message  of  President  Taft  relative  to  presentation 

to  German  Emperor 196 

Presentation  at  Potsdam,  Germany 60-81 

Reports  on  bill  for  erection  of 172, 178 

Sulzer,  Hon.  William  (of  New  York),  remarks  in  Congress  on  Steuben 

and  services  rendered  by  him J49-i5S 

Taft,  Miss  Helen,  unveiling  of  statue 47.  56 

Taft,  William  Howard  (President  of  the  United  States): 

Address  at  unveiling  ceremonies  in  Washington,  D.  C 49~5I 

Extract  from  message  relative  to  presentation  of  Steuben  replica 

to  German  Emperor 196 

Telegram  in  response  to  message  from  German  Emperor 76 

Taylor,  Rev.  John,  description  of  visit  made  to  Steuben 's  house  and 

grave 202-203 

Thompson,  James  Sweeney,  Steuben  relics  in  possession  of 213 

Turnvereins,  representation  at  unveiling  ceremonies  in  Washington, 

D.  C 64 

United  German  Alliance  Committee,  entertainment  by  Washington 

Chamber  of  Commerce 61-62 

Unveiling  ceremonies: 

Potsdam,  Germany,  September  2,  1911 71-81 

Washington,  D.  C.,  December  7,  1910 10, 15-52 

Washington,  Gen.  George: 

Commendation  of  Steuben 's  services 6, 26-27, 38, 45, 

50-51, 87, 148, 154, 161-162 

Letters  from 6,  26-27, 87, 148, 162 

Reception  of  Steuben 22 

Washington,  D.  C.,  unveiling  ceremonies,  December  7,  1910 10, 15-52 

Washington  Chamber  of  Commerce,  hosts  to  United  German  Alliance 

Committee 61-62 

Washington  Kriegerbund,  banquet  of 62-63 

Wolffram,  Hon.  Charles  B.: 

Dinner  given  to   Hon.  Richard  Bartholdt  (of  Missouri)  in  Ger- 
many           77 

Presentation  of  bronze  replica  to  German  Emperor 70,  75 

Reception  by  German  Emperor 75 

Yorktown,  Va.,  services  rendered  by  Steuben  at 38 


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